COSTA MESA – Nino Vultaggio, Evan Avitia and Antonio Omphroy combined for four home runs to help Vanguard take both games against Bethesda in a Friday doubleheader at Dean Harvey Field.
The Lions hammered out 19 hits – with every position starter amassing at least one hit – and the team scored a run in all but two innings in a 17-3 game one victory.
The bats cooled down a bit in the 5-2 game two triumph, but the big blow came on Omphroy's three-run dinger to left field in the fifth inning.
Vultaggio had two hits in each game and finished the twin bill 4-for-8 with two home runs, four runs scored and four RBI. Omphroy sizzled at the plate, going 5-for-6 with three runs scored, four RBI and a pair of walks.
Avitia's blast in the sixth inning of game one was his first collegiate hit.
Six Lions had multiple hits in the 17-3 victory, including Brendan Wagner, Steven Casas, Tevis Payne and Michael Downtain.
VU pitchers Spencer Edmondson and Dylan McDonald tossed five innings or better in earning the wins. Edmondson improved to 3-0 and McDonald 2-0.
VU is now 11-5 on the season, while Bethesda fell to 3-10.
What Happened?
Game 1 – Vanguard 17, Bethesda 3
Vanguard took a 3-0 lead in the first with the first run coming in via a double steal, as Downtain swiped home plate after Vultaggio drew a throw from the catcher on his attempt to take second.
The Lions picked up two more runs via an Omphroy RBI single and a Bethesda error.
The Flames rebounded with three runs of their own in the second after loading the bases with two singles and a walk. Aaron Fernandez drew a bases loaded walk to bring in one run and Chris Soto delivered a 2-RBI single to tie the score at 3-3.
Bethesda would not score any further as McDonald retired six straight, including striking out the side in the third. He also set the Flames down in order in the fifth.
Meanwhile, Vanguard grabbed the three runs back from Bethesda in the bottom half of the second, notching three doubles and a homer in the inning. Wagner began the frame with a double down the right field line, and came home on a Corey Jarrell two-bagger. Vultaggio then unloaded a two-run blast to left to give the Lions a 6-3 lead.
The Lions added a run in the third for a four-run advantage, but put the game away with a five-run fifth. Vultaggio delivered his second round tripper – this one again to left – scoring Wagner who picked up an RBI earlier in the inning on a bases loaded hit by pitch. VU also scored a pair of runs on sacrifice flies from Casas and Jarrell.
Leading 12-3, the Lions kept pushing on offense as the Flames began emptying their bench. Rogelio Maldonado – the third of four Flame pitchers – offered up a pitch that Avitia turned on and deposited up the left field netting for a two-run shot in the sixth.
VU scored three more runs in the eighth on Payne's RBI single and Christopher Famolaro's knock up the middle, which plated Wagner and pinch runner Jackson Webber.
Jesus Barreto was excellent in relief, pitching 3.0 innings of two-hit relief. He did not walk a batter and struck out three. Dakota Henson threw a perfect ninth inning for the Lions.
Bethesda starter Johnathan Mejia was tagged with the loss after allowing 10 hits and seven runs (six earned) in 4.0 innings.
Game 2 – Vanguard 5, Bethesda 2
Bethesda came out with something to prove in game two, and took a 2-0 lead in the second inning.
The Flames got the first two batters on thanks to an error and single. A sac bunt advanced both runners 90 feet, and Miguel Santos laced a one-out single to center to plate two.
McDonald retired seven straight – and after allowing a pair of two-out singles in the fourth – fanned Fernandez to wiggle out of trouble. He then set down the side in Bethesda's half of the fifth.
Bethesda hurler Jaryn Pavek forced the Lions to put up three straight zeroes before cutting the deficit in half in the fourth. Omphroy walked, and Mazzaferro sent pinch runner Caleb Oddo to third with a double to left. Avitia got aboard on a fielder's choice and his groundout scored Oddo.
The Lions chipped away at Pavek and chased him in the fifth after Vultaggio and Famolaro greeted him with consecutive singles. Isaiah Perez entered, and got the first out on an infield fly rule.
But Omphroy did not wait to pounce on the reliever, and unloaded a three-run shot, his second of the season. The Lions suddenly led 4-2 with one swing.
VU loaded the bases in the sixth and scored an insurance run as Noah Madole lifted a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Zubiate, who stole three bases on the afternoon.
Jase Schueller replaced McDonald after three of the first four Flames reached base in the sixth. McDonald walked two and hit a batter before being relieved by Schueller. The Lions also inserted Payne in for starting catcher Abraham Hernandez. The move paid immediate dividends as a wild pitch enticed Rodriguez to race home from third, but Payne slid toward the backstop and fired a perfect strike to Schueller, who tagged a sliding Rodriguez.
The VU reliever then plunked Santos with a pitch to reload the bases, but got Fernandez to ground out to end the inning.
Schueller allowed a single in the seventh, but struck out Devin Bevilacqua to pick up the save.
Why Is It Important?: Vanguard scored double-digit runs for the fifth time this season, but the team also has allowed three or less runs nine times in 16 games.
What Was Said?: "We played a competitive team this afternoon that had us on the ropes in game two," said Head Coach Rob Pegg. "I'm proud of our guys for how they responded and happy to keep moving forward. It was a thrill to watch Evan's first career hit be a home run, and Nino continues to improve. Antonio's homer was obviously key for us winning game two."
What's Next?: The Lions and Flames battle on Saturday in another doubleheader. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 11:00 a.m.
