FULLERTON, Calif. - The 18th-ranked Vanguard University Baseball team (10-2, 1-1) would open up conference play with a matchup against the 23rd-ranked Hope International University (6-4, 1-1). The Lions would split the first two games of the four-game series as they fell 3-9 in the first game before rebounding to take the second game 8-7.
What Happened?
Game One: Locked in a deadlock through the first three innings, the Royals would strike first as they put together a two-out rally in the bottom of the fourth as Domenic Donato hit a double to score runners from second and third. Donato would record his third RBI in the bottom of the sixth as the home team tacked on five in the sixth frame to take a 7-0 lead. The Lions loaded the bases in the top of the seventh and a single by Tommy Rodriguez would bring two runners in to cut the deficit to five. In a final hurrah in the ninth, Andrew Schmitt would hit an RBI single with two on and one out to bring home Rodriguez from third, but that would be all the offense the Pride would muster in game number one, a 3-9 loss.
Game Two: The Blue and Gold would get off to a much better start in game two as they scored two runs in the first inning courtesy of two RBI singles by Landon Riker and Grady Conner. Tommy Rodriguez would hit a leadoff home run in the second inning, but the Royals would keep pace with two runs of their own after two innings. The Lions loaded the bases in the top of the third and Omar Ortiz would bring two runners in with an RBI single to right-center. After an error scored Conner from third, Oscar Diaz would bring home Ortiz with a single to left-center to take a 7-2 lead.
Hope International would return the favor and load the bases in the bottom of the third, eventually scoring three runs to cut their deficit to two. Travis Aversa would provide some much-needed insurance as his two-out single to right field in the top of the fifth inning would prove to be the winning run as the Royals offense fizzled out after a two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh to make things interesting.
Why It's Important? The Lions are 2-2 on the year so far against teams that are ranked in the top 25 of the NAIA poll. Vanguard is no stranger to hot starts as this is the third year in a row that the Lions have earned their tenth win by the 12th game of the season.
Top Performers: Tommy Rodriguez would go 2-4 with a run and two RBI in the first game, while Aversa would go 2-4 with an RBI in the second game. Omar Ortiz had a fantastic second game as he went 3-4 with three runs and three RBI. Landon Riker would go 1-3 with a walk, RBI, and two runs in game number two for the Blue and Gold.
What's Next: Games three and four in the series against Hope International will take place tomorrow starting at 11:00 a.m.
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