ATHERTON, Calif. – The elusive long ball became reacquainted with the Vanguard bats in a 10-2 and 18-12 doubleheader sweep of Menlo on Friday at Cartan Field.
The Lions rediscovered their power, flexing the extra base hit at will after producing 28 runs and 25 hits over the two games.
Vanguard produced seven doubles and four home runs – the four dingers eclipsing the total of three through the first 10 games – and scored double-digit runs for the fourth and fifth times this season.
Nino Vultaggio homered in game one, while Michael Downtain, Oscar Diaz and Jarred Mazzaferro all clubbed shots in game two. Diaz finished the twinbill 3-for-8 with two runs scored and six RBI. Vultaggio scored four times and drove in four, while Jarrell crossed home plate five times.
The Lions also coaxed 18 walks off Oak pitching.
The two teams combined for 13 errors, with Menlo committing seven including five in game two.
VU scored at least one run in all but one inning in game two.
Spencer Edmondson delivered six quality innings to move to 2-0 after the game one victory. In game two, Jesus Munguia was solid in three scoreless innings as he picked up his first win of the season.
What Happened?
Game 1 – Vanguard 10, Menlo 2
The Lions scored in three of the first four innings to build a 5-0 lead. Diaz produced an RBI groundout to plate VU's first run in the first.
With runners at the corners in the third, Diaz lifted a sac fly to right to score Jarrell for a 2-0 VU lead.
The Lions benefited from the wildness of Menlo starter Cody Carson, who uncorked two wild pitches that le to runs in the fourth. Vultaggio walked, stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch, coming home on an infield single by Steven Casas.
An Oak error put two Lions aboard. They advanced 90 feet on another Carson wild pitch, and both came home on a Fred Buckson single.
Edmondson retired the first seven batters he faced before giving up.a one-out single in the third. He allowed just two hits and struck out nine over his six innings of work.
Vanguard extended the lead to 10-0 with a five-run outburst in the eighth. Vultaggio started things with a solo homer. Buckson and Downtain drew a bases loaded walk and hit by pitch in back-to-back at-bats to score the seventh and eighth VU runs. The Lions scored the final two runs on Diaz's fielder's choice as an error by the shortstop allowed Buckson and Jarrell to score on the play.
The Oaks scored twice in the ninth with two outs off VU reliever Quincy Vassar, who pitched the final 3.0 innings, allowing six hits and two runs (one earned) with no walks and three strikeouts.
Game 2 – Vanguard 18, Menlo 12
The Lions scored at least one run in six straight innings to lead 15-8.
Two walks in the first led to sac fly opportunities from Diaz and Antonio Omphroy. The Lions got another run in the second, but exploded for six runs in the third. VU got five consecutive hits, including a bases-clearing double from Vultaggio. The speedy Vultaggio stole third and scampered home on a Casas groundout.
Menlo tried to keep up after scoring five runs through the first two innings. The Oaks capitalized on a leadoff error in the first to score twice, and scored three more unearned runs in the second courtesy of two Lion errors.
Leading 9-5, the Lions hit their first of three bombs as Diaz unloaded a solo shot with one out in the fourth.
VU opened up a 14-5 lead as Jarrell roped a two-RBI double to left center, followed by a two-run homer from Downtain.
Lion starter Jake Hiner was replaced in the fifth after allowing three singles and a walk – with a Christian Luevano two-RBI single making the score 14-7.
Munguia was summoned from the bullpen, and he got a strikeout and fly out. The fly out resulted in a sac fly that scored the third Menlo run of the inning. Munguia helped matters by picking off an Oak runner at second to end the inning.
The right-hander recorded four strikeout over his 3.0 innings, including the final two Oaks in the seventh.
Meanwhile, Mazzaferro homered to lead off the eighth, and Vultaggio, who followed with a walk, scored from first on an Abraham Hernandez double to left that gave the Lions a 17-8 lead.
Menlo plated four runs in the eighth, and the Lions tallied their 18th run on a pinch hit RBI single by Aaron Zubiate in the ninth.
The Lions roughed up six Menlo pitchers to the tune of 16 hits and 11 walks, with Oak starter Anthony Tellez taking the loss. He allowed eight runs, all earned, in two-plus innings.
Why Is It Important?: The Lions, who will play eight of their first nine GSAC games on the road, are now 2-2 in conference away contests.
What Was Said?: "Offense really came through today," said Head Coach Rob Pegg. "Impressed with their focus at the plate and consistency through 18 innings. Not easy playing conditions and defense did a solid job. Spencer set the tone for the day on the mound. Really a very solid day overall.
What's Next?: Weather permitting, the Lions and Oaks intend to play the final game of the series on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. Rain is in the forecast, so stay tuned at VanguardLions.com for schedule updates.
