COSTA MESA, Calif. - The Lions tallied eight hits to score nine runs and overcome the Poets of Whittier College Thursday afternoon. Grady Conner (JR/Costa Mesa, CA) and Landon Riker (JR/Marysville, WA) each registered two hits with multiple RBI to push Vanguard to the 9-1 victory against the Poets and advance their record to 6-0.

Caleb Squire (SR/Arvada, CO) got on in the first with one out, stole second and advanced to third on a pass ball. Riker hit a sacrifice fly for the early Lion lead. The Poets posted one run in the bottom of the third on a wild pitch to even the score. Vanguard reclaimed the advantage in the top of the fifth. Isaiah Lee (FR/Santa Ana, CA) singled down the left line and Josh Weeks (JR/Murrieta, CA) laid down a bunt to move him to second. Travis McFarland (JR/Corona, CA) stepped up next with a RBI single to left center. Conner came up to the plate next and hit a homer for two more Lion runs. Grady got the Lions another run in the seventh with a fly ball to score Diego Altamiran. Riker roped a single up the middle to bring around two more Lions and advance the lead to 7-1. Vanguard added two more on sacrifice fly balls from McFarland and Conner to close out the 9-1 win.

Tyler Steele (SR/Kingsburg, CA) earned the win after four innings and only one run allowed. Brandon Steele (JR/Kingsburg, CA), Joey Jennison (JR/Danville, CA) and Matt Lester (JR/Salem, OR) all appeared and did not allow a single run in their five combined innings. Connor concluded the game with four RBI and one run while Riker had three RBI and one walk.

"Batters made some good adjustments at the 2nd half of the game," Assistant Coach Ryan Heinle said. "A strong start from Tyler Steele and the rest of the bullpen held the game in check. Overall, good team win."

Next Game: Friday, Feb. 8th at 2 p.m. against Bethesda University of California on Costa Mesa, CA.

#ClawsUp