SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Vanguard University traveled up to Santa Barbara for their first road Golden State Athletic Conference series against Westmont College. Looking to bounce back from the loss earlier in the week, the Blue and Gold came out swinging and defeated the Warriors 10-5. Vanguard finished the day outhitting Westmont 10-15 and held them to five runs.

Vanguard wasted no time putting runs on the board, putting up two in the first. Lucas Martinez (SR/Fairfax, VA), who had been hit by a pitch, stole second and had sights set on home. Chad Sutton (FR/Scottsdale, AZ) stepped up to the plate and singled, taking advantage of a wild throw and advance to second base and pick up an RBI with Martinez's dash home. Travis McFarland (SO/Corona, CA) nearly mimicked the previous play and singled to send Sutton in to score. The action didn't slow down in the second as two Lions reached base before Tanner Perry (SR/El Cajon, CA) was up to bat. Perry, for the third game in a row, hit a three-run home run to left field. The third inning saw no action for either team, but Shane Elias-Calles (SR/Mission Viejo, CA) scored on a hit from Sutton. Westmont responded with runs in the fifth, seventh and eighth innings, but the Pride hit back with four runs in the top of the ninth. Neufeld picked up a RBI as Josh Weeks (SO/Murrieta, CA) scored and Martinez picked up two RBIs with a double down the left field line.

Jordan Dreibelbis (SR/Las Vegas, NV) (1-0) pitched eight innings before Tanner Bellamy (JR/Las Vegas, NV) took the mound to close out the game. Julio Rivera (JR/Puerto Rico) was 3-5 at the plate and Sutton went 3-6 while Neufeld was 1-1 in the box.

Next Game: Saturday, February 10th at Westmont College at 2:00 p.m.

-GOLD PRIDE-