SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Jacob Dahlstrom mowed down a career-high 13 batters and Antonio Omphroy delivered a key two-run blast in the eighth inning, leading Vanguard to a 4-2 victory over Antelope Valley at the NAIA Baseball Championship Opening Round on Tuesday.
What Happened?: In a must-win game that kept VU's season alive, Dahlstrom struck out at least one Pioneer in seven of the eight innings he pitched. He fanned the side twice in the 122-pitch effort. Nate Madole allowed one run in the ninth but polished off the win with his fifth save.
Vanguard led 2-1 entering the bottom of the eighth when Omphroy crushed his sixth home run of the year, a towering shot over the left field fence that also brought in Fred Buckson, who earlier had singled.
It was one of just four hits that the Lions managed off Pioneer pitchers Avery Rivera and Richard Hudson. Omphroy's homer came off of Hudson, who entered in relief in the seventh with Aaron Zubiate on third with one out. Hudson got a strike out and a pop out to keep VU off the scoreboard, but Omphroy produced the clutch hit the following inning.
Antelope Valley struck first with an unearned run in the second. After Dahlstrom struck out the first two hitters, Jose Parreno walked and moved to second on a failed pickoff attempt. The Pioneers capitalized on the miscue after Sal Munoz singled to put runners at the corners, followed by a wild pitch to score Parreno.
The Lions tied the game in the third without getting a hit. Two consecutive errors by the UAV shortstop and second baseman allowed Luke Arias and Tyler Gordon to reach, with the second miscue enabling pinch runner Aaron Zubiate to scamper to third. Emiliano Alarcon's fielder's choice grounder got Zubiate home.
Rivera retired the Lions in order in four of the first five innings and held the Blue and Gold hitless until Dane Nakatsuka led off the sixth with a single. The senior then stole second – his ninth of the season – and advanced to third on a throwing error by the UAV catcher. Heads up baserunning resulted in Nakatsuka scoring on a Rivera wild pitch.
Armed with a 2-1 lead, Dahlstrom struck out Munoz, pinch hitter Devin Carter and Tyler Pruitt for a clean seventh.
The Lions utilized an incredible defensive play to keep the Pioneers at bay in the eighth. After Noah Blythe sliced a leadoff double down the left field line, he stole third with one out. Alec White then lifted a fly ball that appeared deep enough for a sacrifice fly, but Christopher Famolaro launched a one-hop strike to nail White at the plate for the double play.
Momentum in VU's favor, Omphroy's eighth inning homer put the Lions up 4-1.
Madole yielded back-to-back singles to Raul Sandoval and Dawson Bakker to start the ninth. The senior then outraced Parreno to the first base bag to record the first out on a grounder to Fred Buckson. Omphroy recorded the second out unassisted on a Munoz grounder, with Sandoval scoring to cut VU's lead to 4-2. Madole got pinch hitter Nate Guidara on a harmless fly ball to left to close out the game.
Why Is It Important?: The Lions have at least one win in the NAIA Tournament in each of their nine all-time appearances.
What Was Said?: "Great effort by Dahlstrom to go deep into the game and preserve our bullpen," said Head Coach Rob Pegg. "He was in total command with the 13 strikeouts. Famolaro's throw to home in the eighth was the play of the game. We took advantage of some opportunities on offense, and Antonio's homer came at the perfect time."
What's Next?: The Lions need to win twice on Wednesday to advance to Thursday's championship round. VU first plays British Columbia at 11:00 a.m.
