ATHERTON, Calif. - Capping off their GSAC Season opener, Vanguard University (13-4, 2-2) managed to split the four-game series against Menlo College (8-11, 3-5). The Lions earned the split after a successful day for the offense in game one and two-run homerun from Landon Riker (SR/Marysville, WA) in game two.
Game 1: Vanguard University 6, Menlo College 4
The Pride entered the first inning with a vengeance and tallied four runs to earn the advantage. With Riker sitting on second base, a double from Isaiah Lee (SO/Santa Ana, CA) would earn VU the run. Immediately after, Josh Weeks (SR/Murrieta, CA) tripled to send Lee home. With two runners on base, Grady Conner (SR/Costa Mesa, CA) smacked a triple to right-center to earn two RBI to end the fruitful first inning for the Lions.
The Oaks were able to score a run in the bottom of the first, but both teams couldn't generate any scoring offense during the second or third inning. Entering the fourth inning with Vanguard ahead 4-1, the Blue and Gold recorded two more runs off a single from Riker. Menlo added a single run in the fifth, sixth, and seventh inning, but it wasn't enough to topple the Pride's strong defense.
J. Weeks clocked in with three hits during his five at-bats, along with a run and a RBI. Kevin Miser (JR/Ridgefield, WA) earned eight putouts behind home plate during the nine innings and Joe Johnson (JR/Medford, OR) also collected eight outs at first base.
Game 2: Vanguard University 3, Menlo College 2
After a scoreless first inning, Vanguard earned a run off a single from Chad Sutton (JR/Scottsdale, AZ) that scored J. Weeks, who had been positioned at second base. The Oaks responded in the fourth inning and tied the game after a single slipped through the Lion's defense. The score held until the top of the seventh inning, where the Pride was able to gain control of the game and scored two runs. With Elijah Weeks (SO/Murrieta, CA) standing on second, Riker returned to the plate and homered into the large Oak tree in left field to give the Blue and Gold the advantage over the Oaks. Menlo added another run to their score in the bottom of the seventh, but it wasn't enough to get past the Lions.
Riker earned three hits of his four at-bats during the second game and also secured an RBI and five outs from center field. Sutton recorded two hits during his three at-bats with a RBI and Justin Graves (SO/Irvine, CA) secured the win for the Pride's pitching staff.
"The first two games of the series didn't go as planned, but we as a team came together and had to battle back. Our pitching staff did really really well today, shoutout to Sutorious and Graves," said Riker. "I found my pitch my last at-bat and did what I should've done with it. We won the game and we're really happy. It's going to be a fun bus ride home."
Next Game: Friday, February 28th against Hope International in a doubleheader at 11:00 am.
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