COSTA MESA, Calif. – Making their first career appearances in the Blue and Gold, Dylan McDonald (JR/Pacifica, CA) and Jacob Morales (JR/Arcadia, CA) delivered a solid pitching performance in the Vanguard baseball team's 9-2, seven-inning victory over Saint Katherine in game two of Saturday's doubleheader at Dean Harvey Field.
Both hurlers did not walk a batter over the seven frames.
McDonald logged five strong innings to pick up the win, scattering four hits and two runs while striking out two. Morales impressed with four strikeouts over two scoreless innings.
Offensively, Joe Johnson (SR/Medford, OR) belted his second homer in as many games and finished 2-for-3 with three runs scored and two RBI.
Isaiah Lee (SR/Santa Ana, CA) doubled and drove in three, while Aki Buckson (SR/Silverdale, WA) scored three times.
The Lions also got ultra aggressive on the basepaths and swiped seven bases in seven attempts. Travis Aversa (SR/Fountain Valley, CA), Johnson and Buckson had two steals apiece, while Tommy Rodriguez (JR/Yucaipa, CA) had the other.
Vanguard completed a busy opening week to the 2022 season with a 3-2 record. Saint Katherine fell to 1-3 on the year.
What Happened?: After falling behind in each of their previous two games, the Lions jumped all over Saint Katherine starting pitcher Daniel Ritcheson from the outset.
The Lions touched Ritcheson for three runs in the first. Aversa led off with a single and stole second, before making it to third on a wild pitch. Johnson delivered a one-out RBI single for the 1-0 Vanguard lead.
Johnson mirrored Aversa, reaching third via a steal and wild pitch. Buckson and Lee walked to load the bases.
All out hustle resulted in a pair of runs scoring on the next play. On agrounder to short, the lead runner at second was erased, but Rodriguez beat the throw at first to prevent the double play. Johnson scored and Buckson raced home from second base to score the second run.
Saint Katherine notched its only two runs in the second on an Emilio Escobedo double and Johnny Lopez single.
The Lions answered with another three spot in the third. Johnson and Buckson stirred things up again with back-to-back walks, chasing Ritcheson from the game.
A failed pickoff attempt advanced the two Lions one base, and Lee greeted new pitcher Dylan Jaquez with a two-RBI single and a 5-2 lead.
With two outs, Chad Sutton (SR/Scottsdale, AZ) plated Lee with an RBI single up the middle as VU led 6-2 after three.
Vanguard cruised from there as McDonald and Morales combined to set down seven straight Firebirds at one point.
The Lions manufactured two more runs in the fifth aided by more aggressive base running. Buckson walked and stole second, and was cashed in on Lee's double to right center.
Lee advanced to third on a wild pitch, and came home on a double from Luke Arias (JR/Spring Valley, CA).
In the sixth, Johnson connected for a towering home run to right center to close out VU's scoring. It was Johnson's third home run in five games.
With two runners on in the seventh, Saint Katherine's attempted rally was squashed as Morales fanned Xander Orozco to end the game.
Why Is It Important?: The Lions stifled the Saint Katherine bats after the Firebirds scored 10 runs in the opening game of the doubleheader.
What Was Said?: "I was pleased with a strong response in game two after a frustrating loss in game one," said Head Coach Rob Pegg. "We made strides forward as a team today and are continuing to grow."
What's Next?: Vanguard entertains Marymount California for a doubleheader on Friday, February 4. First pitch for game one is slated for 11:00 a.m.
