COSTA MESA – Vanguard ran its winning streak to six straight and captured victory No. 30 of the season, defeating visiting Bethesda, 9-1, on Tuesday afternoon at Dean Harvey Field.
The Lions threw seven different pitchers on the designated "staff" day. Collectively, they held the Flames to just three hits and one unearned run while walking no one and striking out 12 batters.
Offensively, Aki Buckson (SR/Silverdale, WA) led the way with a 2-for-5 performance, marking the sixth straight game he has finished with two or more hits. The left fielder scored a run and drove in two more, and tallied his 25th stolen base of the season.
Joe Johnson (SR/Medford, OR) also scored and knocked in a pair of runs, and had a 2-for-4 day at the plate. Chad Sutton (SR/Scottsdale, AZ) also posted two hits, going 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI.
What Happened?: Quincy Vassar (JR/Brewster, WA) earned the start for Vanguard, and he did not disappoint in his three perfect innings of work. The southpaw faced 10 batters – just one over the minimum – and he struck out five. His lone blemish was a hit by pitch in the second.
For the sixth straight game, Vanguard scored first. The Lions erupted for four runs in the first inning against Bethesda starter Robert Luna as five of the first six hitters reached base.
Matthew Land (SR/Eugene, OR) drew a leadoff walk and Isaiah Lee (SR/Santa Ana, CA) brought him around with a double to right center for the 1-0 lead. The Lions made it 2-0 on Johnson's RBI single to center. After a ground rule double from Chad Sutton put runners at second and third, Tommy Rodriguez (JR/Yucaipa, CA) cashed both in with a two-bagger to left field.
The Flames posted their lone run in the fourth on John Pyle's RBI single. Marco Carbajal reached first on an error and advanced to second on a balk. He moved to third on a grounder, and came home on the Pyle hit for the unearned run.
Vanguard got that run back in the bottom of the fifth. Johnson had a hard hit smash to first for a two-out single, and advanced to second when the ball squirted away. Sutton followed with a single to send Johnson home as the Lions led 5-1.
The Lions loaded the bases in the seventh as a Buckson double and a pair of walks put the pressure on Bethesda reliever Nathan Houts. Ian McIntyre (JR/Tempe, AZ) recorded the bases loaded RBI after getting nailed by a pitch, as VU led 6-1.
In the eighth, VU added three more insurance runs. Land and pinch runner Elijah Weeks (SR/Murrieta, CA) executed the double steal to put runners at second and third. After a walk to Oscar Diaz (SO/Los Angeles, CA), Buckson doubled to left to drive in two as VU went on top 8-1. The ninth run scored courtesy of Johnson's productive out at first, Diaz scoring from third on the play.
Five Lion relievers threw a scoreless inning of relief, as Zander Fletcher (JR/Costa Mesa, CA), Jackson Webber (SR/Bothell, WA), Jesus Barreto (FR/La Mirada, CA), Zach Saufl (SO/Oakville, Ontario, Canada) and Jared Greer (SR/Anaheim, CA) took turns on the mound. Fletcher and Barreto each struck out two in their inning of work.
Why Is It Important?: Vanguard improved to 30-5 on the season, marking the seventh time in the last nine seasons the program hit that win total.
What Was Said?: "I loved how we attacked the first inning. Vassar got out there and pitched a quick first inning, and then the bats were dialed in," said Head Coach Rob Pegg. "The first six at-bats were outstanding with three doubles. Should have had a shutout."
What's Next?: The Lions continue their 10-game homestand, welcoming Menlo for a Golden State Athletic Conference series this weekend. VU hosts the Oaks for a Friday doubleheader, playing at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
