COSTA MESA, Calif. - Vanguard University (21-6, 9-3) stole two games against San Diego Christian University (13-14, 2-10) to complete a perfect series against the Hawks. The four games will count as away games but were played at Dean Harvey Field. The Hawks battled against the Pride's strong offensive attacks, but the Lions secured the first game with an early lead. During the second game, SDC was met with strong defense from the Pride and couldn't compete with their offensive domination as well.
Game 1: Vanguard University 9, San Diego Christian 4
The Pride's offensive domination from the two previous games bled into the third game of the series. After a scoreless first inning for both teams, the Lions tallied two runs to get on the board in the second inning and managed to add four more runs during the third inning. With one out and the bases loaded, Chad Sutton (JR/Scottsdale, AZ) homered to left field and collected four RBI.
Luke Arias (FR/Spring Valley, CA) sacrifice flew out to centerfield during the fifth inning to bring home Sutton and add another run to the Lions' 7-0 advantage. Joe Johnson (JR/Medford, OR) also earned an RBI with a single that allowed Landon Riker (SR/Marysville, WA) to score during the sixth inning. The Hawks attempted a comeback during the bottom of the sixth inning and recorded four runs, cutting into the Pride's lead 8-4. The Blue and Gold managed to hold SDC from scoring any more runs and collected a final run in the ninth inning off a double from Grady Conner (SR/Costa Mesa, CA) to secure their first win of the day 9-4.
Sutton tallied three hits during his five at-bats, as well a four-run home run which resulted in four RBI. Riker recorded two runs during his five at-bats and two runs. Johnson collected eight outs on first base and an RBI off his two hits. Wyatt Boyce (SR/El Segundo, CA) had four strikeouts from the pitching mound and only allowed five hits against 16 batters.
Game 2: Vanguard University 11, San Diego Christian 1
The Pride Immediately starting off the game with two runs in the top of the first inning off a pair of singles from Aki Buckson (JR/Silverdale, WA) and Sutton. The Hawks cut into the Lions' lead with a run in the bottom of the second. After a scoreless third inning, Conner scored after Matthew Land (JR/Eugene, OR) singled to the left side.
The Pride continued their success in the batters' box with five more runs in the top of the fifth inning. With two runners on and a single out, Kevin Miser (JR/Ridgefield, WA) singled down the left-field line and score both runners. Land had a three-run home run in the same inning after Conner battled in the batter's box and drew a walk. The Blue and Gold recorded another three runs during the sixth inning after Buckson doubled to get on base and Johnson sent him home with a single. The next two runs came off a pair of singles from Conner and Nate Petrov (JR/San Ramon, CA).
Buckson tallied three hits during his four at-bats, along with three runs and an RBI. Johnson followed with three hits during his five at-bats, two runs, and a single RBI. DJ Sutorious earned the win from the pitching mound with three strikeouts.
Next Game: Friday, March 13th against Westmont in a doubleheader at 12:00 pm.
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