COSTA MESA, Calif. — Vanguard came away from a blow out victory last Tuesday and was hoping to continue that streak in this weekend's series, but they were unable to beat out The Master's University (26-18, 14-11). In the first day of the weekend series, the Lions (RV) (28-18, 16-9) fell behind the Mustangs early and couldn't come back. The final score was 11-6, The Master's. Despite the disappointing board, the Pride pushed through until the end, with three of the six runs scored in the bottom of the ninth.
It seemed like an even match up in the early innings, neither Vanguard nor The Master's could get a run on the board through two innings. Unfortunately, the Mustang's broke through the Lion's defense in the top of the third, posting four runs before the inning was over. Vanguard tried to answer in the top of fifth as Grady Conner (FR/Costa Mesa, CA) hit a sacrifice fly to get the Lions on the board, but the Mustangs came back and added seven more before the Lions would score again.
Things started to look up in the bottom of the eighth as Tanner Perry (JR/El Cajon, CA) hit a sacrifice fly to left field. Josh Weeks (FR/Murrieta, CA) followed Perry up with an RBI single to the left side that let Trai Patrick (SR/Everett, WA) run in on the throw. The Lions fought until the end. In the bottom of the ninth, Patrick came up with runners on first and second and hit a three run homer to left field, halfway up the net. Patrick's eighth home run on the season would be the last time the Lions scored.
Five pitchers stood on the mound for Vanguard. Monty McCasland (SR/Bushland, TX) (6-4) started it off and had a few rocky innings as his final line stood: 4.2 innings, 4 hits, 4 runs, 5 walks, and 0 strikeouts. Kurt Gairing (JR/Corona, CA) came in for an inning and allowed 1 hit before Christian Sheehan (SR/Redondo Beach, CA) took over. Sheehan also went one inning, allowing 1 hit and earning 1 strikeout. After Sheehan came Akoni Arriaga (SR/Wailuku, HI) who faced three batters before handing it over to Chris Moore (FR/Corona, CA) to close it out. Moore went for 2 innings and gave up 1 run and 1 walk with 2 strikeouts.
Next Game: Tomorrow, Saturday, April 22nd against The Master's University at 11:00 a.m. (Senior Day)
-GOLD PRIDE-
