COSTA MESA – The No. 15-ranked Vanguard baseball team took advantage of a pair of five-run innings in both ends of a doubleheader sweep on Tuesday, defeating Bethesda by scores of 7-4 and 9-4 at Dean Harvey Field. 

The Lions won for the 10th time in their last 11 games to improve to 27-12 overall, a season-high 15 games over .500. VU has outscored its opponents 100-40 during that 11-game stretch.

Southpaws Jake Hiner and Nate Madole turned in a pair of quality starts on the mound in winning efforts. Hiner earned his first career collegiate win after going 5.2 innings, allowing three runs but none of them earned. Madole allowed just three hits and one run without a walk in five innings, and he struck out three to improve to 4-1 on the season.

Fred Buckson and Corey Jarrell each drove in a pair of runs in game one, while Christopher Famolaro knocked in three runs in game two.

Bethesda fell to 14-21.

What Happened?

Game 1 – The Lions and Flames were even through three innings, each picking up a run. VU struck first with a two-out run in the second as Buckson tripled, followed by a Jarrell single through the right side.

Madole retired six of the first seven hitters he faced. However, in the third the Flames got an unearned run when Erick Rodriguez led off with a single and advanced to second on a Miguel Santos sac bunt. Justin Martinez singled sharply to right but the ball was misplayed by the right fielder, allowing Rodriguez to score. Martinez attempted to reach third but got nabbed at third on a strong relay throw from Buckson.

After Madole tossed a routine 1-2-3 inning in the fourth, the Lion bats erupted in the bottom half. The first five Lions got aboard in the inning, beginning with a leadoff walk from Oscar Diaz.

Antonio Omphroy, Buckson, Jarrell and Luke Arias delivered consecutive singles as three Lions crossed home plate for the 4-1 lead. The Lions extended the lead to 5-1 on as Tyler Gordon's infield grounder went under the legs of the Bethesda first baseman, allowing Jarrell to score. Adam Stevens completed the five-run fifth with a bases loaded walk.

Bethesda scored two more unearned runs in the sixth and got an RBI single from Santos in the seventh to trim the deficit to 6-4.

However, VU responded with an insurance run in the bottom half as Buckson's second extra base hit – a double into the right center alley – scored pinch runner Caleb Oddo from first.

Jackson Webber and Kyle Hoskins pitched the final 3.1 innings. Hoskins earned his first career save for the Blue and Gold with a clean ninth inning.

Michael Downtain, Omphroy and Jarrell all had two-hit games in addition to Buckson's 3-for-4 performance.

Game 2 – The Lions broke the game open with another five-run outburst, which boded well as the Flames made a push in their last at-bat.

Vanguard extended its lead to 9-1 with five runs in the sixth as Bethesda reliever Roberto Novela struggled to find the strike zone. 

The Lions scored three runs on bases loaded walks to Buckson, Famolaro and Jarrell. Nomar Vazquez also delivered a pinch hit RBI single to give the Lions the 9-1 lead.

Madole set down nine straight Flame hitters before yielding a run in the fourth. The Flames got their run on two singles sandwiched around a hit by pitch. 

VU took a 2-1 lead in the fourth as Arias laid down a sac bunt to advance Famolaro and Jarrell to second and third after poking back-to-back singles. Marco Lopez looped a single into center to score Famolaro.

In the fifth, the Lions generated a two-out attack with Stevens and Diaz getting aboard on a walk and single, with Famolaro belting a bases-clearing double to the fence in left center.

Jesus Munguia relieved Madole in the sixth and struck out a pair of Flames to set up the VU offensive outburst in the bottom half.

Bethesda scored three times in the seventh on five singles and a walk. With the bases loaded and the Flames trailing 9-4, Bryce Barnett got Rodriguez to ground out to second to end the game.

Downtain had another two-hit game to finish the doubleheader 4-for-8 overall. Diaz and Famolaro also pumped out a pair of hits.

Why Is It Important?: The Lions are 7-1 this season in games played on Monday or Tuesday.

What Was Said?: "Credit Hiner and Madole for giving us a couple of quality starts and allowing the bats to eventually take over," said Head Coach Rob Pegg. "Fred (Buckson) continues to hit well in the absence of a couple of key players, and Jarrell, Famolaro and Michael Downtain all had solid games in the outfield."

What's Next?: The Lions play their home conference series this weekend. VU welcomes San Diego Christian to Dean Harvey Field, as the series begins on Friday with a doubleheader at 11:00 a.m.