COSTA MESA – Adam Stevens (SR/West Linn, OR) drilled a two-run go-ahead homer in the bottom of the seventh inning as the Vanguard baseball team defeated Westcliff, 3-1, in the 2023 season opener on Friday at Dean Harvey Field.

What Happened?: Stevens turned on an Eddie Rios offering and deposited the pitch well up the netting in left field, scoring Dane Nakatsuka (SR/Laguna Niguel, CA), who led off the inning with an infield single.

It was the third career dinger for Stevens, who hit cleanup as the designated hitter against the Warriors.

Rios suffered the tough luck loss after pitching six scoreless innings before exiting with one out in the seventh. He allowed five hits and two runs with no walks and four strikeouts.

His counterpart, VU southpaw Justin Graves (SR/Irvine, CA), was even better as he started a season opener for the first time in his career. Graves allowed just one hit and no runs in six innings of work. He walked three and fanned four while throwing 88 pitches.

Graves got the no-decision as reliever Kyle Hoskins (SR/Tustin, CA) struggled in his Lion debut. The right-hander walked the only two batters he faced in the Warrior half of the seventh. Trey Harmon eventually came around to score as the second Lion reliever, Jackson Webber (SR/Bothell, WA), hit back-to-back batters. He nailed Nolan Wasson to load the bases and plunked Evan Rocha to force in the lone Westcliff run, which was charged to Hoskins.

Webber prevented any further damage as he struck out the side, freezing Eddie Rivero to end the inning.

After taking the lead back on the Stevens blast, the Lions picked up a key insurance run in the eighth. Tommy Rodriguez (SR/Yucaipa, CA) reached on a fielder's choice and promptly stole second. Nakatsuka cashed him in with a double to right field.

Webber retired the Warriors in order in the ninth to earn the win.

Graves set down six of the first seven hitters he faced and allowed his only hit on an infield single to Ulysses Duran in the fourth. Rios retired the first eight Lion hitters before Tyler Gordon (FR/Orange, CA) singled to left in his first career collegiate at bat.

Why Is It Important?: The Lions extended their streak of season-opening wins to five straight.

What Was Said?: "I'm proud of Graves as he really gave the team a shot with his performance," said Head Coach Rob Pegg. "The defense was really solid all around, and the Stevens homer provided us a big boost."

What's Next?: The Lions and Warriors complete the three-game set with a doubleheader at the OC Great Park on Saturday. Game one is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. with the second to follow approximately 45 minutes after.