SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – No. 9 Vanguard slipped to No. 18 Westmont in both games of a Golden State Athletic Conference doubleheader, losing 9-6 and 5-3 on Saturday afternoon.

The Lions have now lost seven of their last nine games after a 14-3 start to the season. VU is 5-7 in GSAC play. Westmont moved to 21-5 overall. The Warriors lead the Lions by five games in the GSAC standings.

For the second straight game, VU let a big lead slip away. The Lions led 6-2 entering the seventh, but gave up seven runs to the Warriors over the next two innings to deny starter Justin Graves (SR/Irvine, CA) his program record 25th career win.

A four-run fourth inning keyed Westmont's victory in game two of the doubleheader.

What Happened?

Game 1 – Vanguard seized control with a four-run fourth inning to lead 6-2. Christopher Famolaro (SO/San Diego, CA) and Luke Arias (SR/Spring Valley, CA) hit back-to-back triples to account for the first run.

Adam Stevens (SR/West Linn, OR) delivered an RBI single to plate Michael Downtain (JR/Menifee, CA) to give VU a two-run lead. Oscar Diaz (JR/Los Angeles, CA) followed with a two-run homer to right to extend the Lion advantage to 6-2.

Graves pitched more than well enough for the win, lasting 6.0 innings and giving up four hits and two runs. He struggled with his control, walking five and hitting a pair of batters, but also struck out seven. The southpaw gave up a pair of first inning runs, but settled down the rest of his stint.

Westmont scored five runs off two VU relievers to wrest away the lead in the seventh. The big blow came on a Shane Hofstadler grand slam. The other run scored on a bases loaded walk to Daniel Patterson.

The Warriors scored twice more in the eighth off of a third VU reliever, as Finn Snyder hit a two-run shot.

The Lions had the bases loaded with two outs in the seventh with an opportunity for insurance runs, but could not deliver.

Westmont pitching retired the final six Lions, three via strikeout. The Lions torched Westmont starter Eric Oseguera for six runs over four innings, but the Warrior bullpen stiffened and limited the Lions to no runs and just three hits over the final five frames.

Game 2 – After scoring 13 runs over the first two games of the series with nothing to show for it, Vanguard's offense was held in check in game three.

Chase Goddard went six innings for the Warriors, allowing seven hits and two runs while walking one and striking out three. The Warriors got one run in the first and four more in the fourth as VU starter Dylan McDonald (SR/Pacifica, CA) took the loss to fall to 2-2.

Ryan DeSaegher went 5-for-7 with three runs scored and two RBI in the doubleheader for Westmont. He delivered an RBI single in the first and started the damage in the fourth with a leadoff double.

Hofstadler, who wore out VU pitching going 5-for-10 with seven RBI in the series, followed with an opposite field RBI single.

With two runners aboard, Michael Soper blasted a three-run homer to right field for the 5-0 lead.

The Lions narrowed the deficit to 5-2 on a Downtain two-run homer in the fifth.

VU loaded the bases with no outs in the seventh as pinch hitter Tyler Gordon (FR/Orange, CA) walked, followed by a single and walk to Dane Nakatsuka (SR/Laguna Niguel, CA) and Downtain, respectively.

Stevens grounded into a double play with pinch runner Famolaro scoring. Diaz struck out to end the game as Warrior closer Gabe Arteaga picked up his fourth save.

Goddard improved to 5-1 on the season, while McDonald fell to 2-2 with the loss.

Why Is It Important?: The Lions sustained their first series sweep to a GSAC opponent since losing four straight to Jessup in the final series of the 2019 season.

What's Next?: VU travels to Antelope Valley for a single game on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m.