COSTA MESA – Pitcher Justin Graves (SR/Irvine, CA) etched his name in the Vanguard baseball record book, tying the school record for career victories in a 12-1 victory over Southwestern Assemblies of God on Friday afternoon at Dean Harvey Field.

The southpaw won his 24th career game, spinning five innings of one-hit scoreless ball. He walked two and struck out seven before leaving with a comfortable 6-0 lead. Graves joined Sean Isaac (2015-16) atop the all-time list and improved his career record to 24-5.

Graves is having an exceptional start to the 2023 season. He has allowed two hits and no runs in 15.0 innings over three starts.

The Lions jumped on SAGU starter Matt Hickey as they victimized him for six runs, though he was hurt by three errors from his infield.

Fred Buckson (SO/Silverdale, WA) cranked his second home run and finished 2-for-4 with four RBI. Shortstop Tyler Gordon (FR/Orange, CA) went a perfect 3-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBI, and Emiliano Alarcon (SO/Monmouth, OR) was 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored.

What Happened?: The Lions stirred things up with a two-out rally in the first. Hickey's wildness resulted in consecutive walks to Dane Nakatsuka (SR/Laguna Niguel, CA), Adam Stevens (SR/West Linn, OR) and Antonio Omphroy (SR/Honolulu, HI) to load the bases. Hickey looked to escape trouble, but the SAGU shortstop bobbled a ground ball from Luke Arias (SR/Spring Valley, CA) as the Lions took a 1-0 lead.

Hickey then induced Corey Jarrell (JR/Brewster, WA) to hit into another potential inning-ending ground out, but the SAGU shortstop's attempted force out to second was off line. Omphroy and Stevens both scored as the Lions dumped three unearned runs on Hickey in the first.

Nakatsuka used some base running magic to pick up another run for VU in the third. He hit a leadoff single, then stole second and advanced to third on a wayward throw. Omphroy cashed in Nakatsuka on a sac fly to center.

The Lions increased their lead to 6-0 with a two-spot in the fourth. Jarrell walked and moved to second on a sac bunt. Gordon hit a grounder to third for a single, but the throw skipped past the SAGU first baseman, which allowed Jarrell to score and Gordon to scamper all the way to third.

Buckson stung an opposite field single to drive in Gordon for a 6-0 VU lead.

Meanwhile, Graves struck out the side in the third and allowed only one SAGU runner into scoring position over his five innings of work.

The crushing blow came off the bat of Buckson in the sixth. WIth Alarcon and Gordon aboard via a single and double, respectively, Buckson turned on a Reagan Smith offering and deposited it over the fence in left field for a 9-0 lead.

VU scored two more runs in the seventh on a two-RBI double from Gordon. The Lions capped off the scoring with a run in the eighth.

Bryce Barnett (JR/Laguna Niguel, CA), Quincy Vassar (SR/Brewster, WA) and Jesus Munguia (JR/Anaheim, CA) pitched well out of the bullpen, giving up just the one SAGU run in the seventh.

Why Is It Important?: The Lions continue to pitch well. The staff has allowed one run or less in five of their eight contests. VU's offense produced double-digit runs for the third time.

What Was Said?: "It was great to see Justin continue to pitch well and him getting into the record book like that was a big accomplishment," said Head Coach Rob Pegg. "The bats came alive too and we're hoping to keep the momentum going tomorrow in the doubleheader."

What's Next?: The Lions host SAGU for a twinbill on Saturday with game one starting at 11:00 a.m.