COSTA MESA, Calif. - The Lions (6-1) took on 25th ranked Benedictine University at Mesa (7-2) on Friday afternoon and snagged a healthy win 15-4. Vanguard University defeated the Redhawks in the series opener, moving their all-time record against them to 3-1.

The game remained scoreless into the top of third inning, until Joe Johnson (JR/Medford, OR) got on base and began the two run inning for the Pride. With runners on second and third, Isaiah Lee (SO/Santa Ana, CA) hit a sacrifice fly that brought home Johnson and Landon Riker (SR/Marysville, WA). 

Vanguard tallied four more runs in the next inning, including a two run home run from Riker. Benedictine managed to get on the board with a run in the fifth inning, but Vanguard retaliated with two runs each in the bottom of the fifth and in the bottom of the sixth. The Redhawks added a pair of scores, but the Lions kept a healthy margin between them. The Blue and Gold recorded two more runs off a pitching error and a run from Gabe Barthelma after Riker sacrificed flied to center field. 

In the eight inning, Chad Sutton (JR/Scottsdale, AZ) had two run homer to put the Lions ahead by 12 runs. Benedictine attempted another comeback in the ninth inning with a run, but it wasn't enough to take Vanguard down.

Garrett Molnar (SR/La Habra, CA) (2-0) took home the win for the pitching staff, ending his six innings with six strikeouts and only allowing six hits. 

"Coming into this game, it was a lot of mental prep and getting ready throughout the whole week," said Molnar. "When things started to go south, it was all about gathering the team to attack and knowing that my defense had my back. That's when we have fun."

Next Game: Saturday, February 8th against Benedictine University - Mesa

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