COSTA MESA, Calif. - The Vanguard Lions (5-1) continued their early-season trend of going down multiple runs early and then having to come back and win the game. This time the Blue and Gold found themselves down four runs early on against Baker University (0-1) but were able to take the contest 8-6 to spoil the Wildcats season debut.
In the top of the third, two walks and a single into center field would load the bases for Baker University. Kyle Klomfahs would then clear the bases for the visitors as he crushed a ball to left-center field, pumping his fist as he headed to first. After three very quick innings, the Lions kicked off the comeback in the fourth inning as Grady Conner (SR/Costa Mesa, CA) would double with two on and one out, clearing the bases to cut the deficit in half. Anthony Castillo (SO/Yorba Linda, CA) came on and only allowed two hits in three innings of work to give his offense a chance to continue to cut into BU's lead.
A leadoff single by Kevin Miser (JR/Ridgefield, WA) in the bottom of the fifth would prove key as with two outs, Landon Riker (SR/Marysville, WA) would hit a single that sliced into left-center, scoring the runner to make it a one-run game. The Lions would pick up that one run in the bottom of the seventh with a stroke of luck as with one out and runners on first and second, Riker would hit a ball to second and it looked like the Wildcats were going to be able to turn two and get out of the inning. The shortstop bobbled the ball on the turn and Matthew Land (JR/Eugene, OR) was able to score from second to tie the game at four.
In the bottom of the eighth, a strikeout and a flyout would put two outs on the board. A couple of walks would put runners at first and second and Sam Hackl (JR/Vienna, Austria) would be called on to pinch-hit for Elijah Weeks (SO/Murrieta, CA). Hackl would come in clutch, knocking a single into center field to give the Lions' their first lead of the afternoon. A double by Buckson and a single by Riker would score three more to make it an 8-4 game in favor of the Blue and Gold. The Wildcats would score two in the top of the ninth, but Sergio Montano (SR/El Centro, CA) would shut down the comeback attempt to come away with the save.
Nick Singer (JR/Atwater, CA) would earn his first win of the year as he came on in relief and struck out three in two innings of work. Landon Riker would go 2-5 on the day with three RBI, and Grady Conner would continue his red-hot start as he went 2-4 with two RBI.
Next Game: Friday, February 7th against (25) Benedictine University of Mesa
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