COSTA MESA – Jesus Munguia (SO/Anaheim, CA) allowed just one unearned run in a career-high six innings as the Vanguard baseball team won its 13th straight game, prevailing 6-2 over La Sierra on Monday afternoon at Dean Harvey Field.
The right-hander improved to 3-0 on the year. Munguia limited the Golden Eagles to three hits, walked none and struck out four while throwing just 62 pitches.
Offensively, the Lions had a 13-hit attack and jumped out to an early lead on the Golden Eagles, which fell to 3-2 on the year.
Vanguard enjoyed a 4-0 lead after two innings and led 6-0 after four.
Five Lions had two-hit games – Travis Aversa (SR/Fountain Valley, CA) (2-for-5), Dane Nakatsuka (JR/Laguna Niguel, CA) (2-for-4), Chad Sutton (SR/Scottsdale, AZ) (2-for-4), Kevin Miser (SR/Ridgefield, WA) (2-for-4) and Cameron Hirahara (SR/Grover Beach, CA) (2-for-4).
Both of Nakatsuka's hits were doubles – his third and fourth two-baggers of the season.
What Happened?: The Lions scored four runs on four hits and a La Sierra error in the second. Nakatsuka hit a leadoff ground-rule double to right center. Sutton's infield single put runners at the corners, setting the stage for Miser's RBI double to left and a 1-0 lead.
With runners at second and third, Tommy Rodriguez (JR/Yucaipa, CA) joined the double parade as his shot down the right field line plated Sutton and pinch runner Aki Buckson (SR/Silverdale, WA) as VU went up 3-0.
Hirahara then flied out to right, allowing Rodriguez to tag up to third. The throw got away from the Golden Eagle third baseman for an error, and Hirahara scampered home for the fourth Lion run.
VU increased the lead to 5-0 in the third as Joe Johnson (SR/Medford, OR) walked and stole second, and came home on Nakatsuka's second double of the afternoon.
That chased La Sierra starting pitcher Zach Vander Hoek from the game. Vander Hoek lasted just two-plus innings, giving up six hits and five runs (four earned).
The Lions tacked on an insurance run in the fourth. Elijah Weeks (SR/Murrieta, CA) reached second on a single and a wild pitch, then Aversa hit an opposite field RBI single as Vanguard took a 6-0 lead.
Munguia set down the side in three of the first four innings. In the fifth, he allowed a leadoff single to Alex Ogletree, but Art Felix grounded into a double play in the next at-bat.
The Golden Eagles dented the scoreboard with a run in the sixth. Munguia got the first two batters to fly out, but hit Jason Larson with the pitch.
Larson stole second and scooted to third on a throwing error by the catcher. Larson then scored on a passed ball.
Austin Brown (JR/Millbrae, CA) threw the next two innings for the Lions. He retired the side in order in the seventh, but gave up a two-out solo home run to Evan Cramer in the eighth.
Jared Greer (SR/Anaheim, CA) posted a scoreless ninth to lock down the win for the Lions.
Why Is It Important?: Vanguard pitching has allowed just two runs in four of the last five games. The Lions have lowered their team ERA to 4.34, which ranks third in the Golden State Athletic Conference.
What Was Said?: "We were aggressive and ran ourselves out of a couple of innings," said Head Coach Rob Pegg. "Jesus set the tone for the day. He was really efficient, using all of his pitches and moving the ball around. Kept them off balance. To date, his best collegiate start. I'm happy about that."
What's Next?: The Lions host Providence Christian on Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. before beginning the 32-game journey through the GSAC schedule this upcoming weekend.
