COSTA MESA, Calif. - Bolstered by a big first inning, the Lions took down Bethesda 13-0 in the opening game of the series. The win makes VU 4-0 at the start of the 2019 campaign. The Lions tallied 18 hits from 10 different Lions while only allowing two. 

Caleb Squire (SR/Arvada, CO) drew a one out walk in the first and Landon Riker (JR/Marysville, WA) followed up with a single. Maxx Mahon (SR/Lexington, KY) walked to load the bases, and Joe Johnson (SO/Medford, OR) knocked his fifth home run in four games for the 4-0 lead. With two outs, Josh Weeks (JR/Murrieta, CA) and Grady Conner (JR/Costa Mesa, CA) strung together two singles and then each stole a base before Weeks came home on a wild pitch. In the second, Riker doubled to left field and advanced on a fly out from Mahon. Johnson flew out next, but brought in RIker for the fifth Lion run and his fifth RBI of the game. The Lions held Bethesda scoreless behind Michael Kashou (JR/Anaheim, CA) on the mound. In the fifth, Vanguard added four additional runs  on four hits during a two out rally, kick started by Omar Ortiz (JR/Las Vegas, NV)'s single to center field. The scoring continued into the seventh, with Isaiah Lee (FR/Santa Ana, CA) singling to bring two Lions around. In the eighth, VU posted their final run of the game on a single from Ryan Aguirre (JR/Anaheim, CA). 

Kashou, now 2-0,  threw 6.2 innings with seven strikeouts and only allowing two hits against 20 batters based. Johnson had two hits, five RBI and a run. Julio Rivera (SR/Puerto Rico) ended the game with two hits, two RBI and two walks. 

"I've been able to stay patient and get my pitch," Johnson said about his success at the plate. "We are a really good team this year and everyone is getting on base and that makes a big difference."

Next Game: Saturday, Feb. 2nd in a double header beginning at 11 a.m. against the Bethesda Flames in Costa Mesa, CA.

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