COSTA MESA – Jarred Mazzaferro's eighth inning RBI single to right field scored Aaron Zubiate with the game-winning run, and the Vanguard baseball team breathed a collective sigh of relief in Friday's 10-9 victory over The Master's at Orange Coast College.

The Lions led 9-0 after five innings, only to watch the Mustangs tie the game with two runs in the sixth and a seven-run uprising in the seventh.

TMU's pitching staff issued 12 walks, including a leadoff free pass to Michael Downtain that kickstarted the eighth inning go-ahead run.

VU starting pitcher Spencer Edmondson pitched a solid 6.0 innings. He held the Mustangs scoreless through five straight before allowing a pair of runs in the sixth. The right-hander allowed just two hits while walking three and striking out seven.

However, he got the no-decision after TMU rallied off Lion relievers Eric Crouse and Jackson Webber in the seventh.

Jase Schueller got the win after hurling 1.2 innings, including a crucial double play in the eighth. He wiggled out of a two-out, two-on ninth inning jam to improve to 2-0 on the season.

Five TMU pitchers surrendered the 12 walks and two hit by pitches, with Carson Knapp (2-1) taking the loss after yielding the Lion run in the eighth.

Five Lions accounted for six hits, with Antonio Omphroy going 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI. The first baseman also drew two walks.

TMU's first four hitters did most of its damage, combining to hit 6-for-18 overall with six runs scored and nine RBI.

The Lions improved to 5-2 and won the Golden State Athletic Conference opener, while the Mustangs fell to 6-2 and 0-1 in league play.

What Happened?: Rain-soaked Dean Harvey Field had not dried out enough, forcing the relocation of the game to OCC's turf-based field. The start of the game was delayed about a half hour as another brief storm came through prior to the initial noon start time.

After Edmondson retired TMU in order in the first, the Lions tagged TMU starter Robert Schardt for two runs in the bottom half. Steven Casas drew a leadoff walk, and Corey Jarrell got on following an error by the Mustang third baseman. Both runners advanced a base on Fred Buckson's fly out to center, and Omphroy delivered a two-out, two-RBI single to right to give VU a 2-0 lead.

The Lions chased Schardt with four more runs in the second aided by five walks and a hit batter. 

The Blue and Gold loaded the bases via a hit by pitch, walk and a bunt single to apply the pressure. Casas walked for the second straight time, forcing in VU's third run. A passed ball scored pinch runner Zubiate, and Jarrell's sac fly plated Nino Vultaggio.

With Casas on third, Schardt walked Downtain and Omphroy to load the bags again as the Lions displayed patience at the plate. 

Ryan Shalkevich trotted in from the bullpen, and promptly walked Mazzaferro. Casas scored to give the Lions a 6-0 advantage.

The Lions walked four more times in the fourth off two more TMU relievers. Buckson, Downtain and Omphroy drew bases on balls from Adler Stout, who was replaced by Nolan Inouye. With two outs, Christopher Famolaro drew a bases loaded walk to force in Buckson with VU's seventh run.

VU appeared in complete control after extending the lead to 9-0 in the fifth. The Lions crafted a two-out rally via a pair of unearned runs. Jarrell's grounder skipped underneath the TMU first baseman's glove for an error, and Buckson made the Mustangs pay with an RBI double to left. Downtain followed with an RBI single to right as the rout was on.

Or so it wasn't. 

Ryan Mathiesen's two-run home run – his fourth of the season – was the lone blemish on Edmondson's afternoon as the Mustangs cut VU's lead to 9-2 in the sixth. Edmondson recovered nicely as the fanned the next three batters to end his afternoon after 102 pitches.

TMU's offense got going in the seventh with seven runs on five hits and one VU error. Austin Young drove in a pair on a bases loaded single to chop the deficit to 9-4. The sun peeked out briefly on a mostly overcast day, and that wreaked havoc as Mathiesen's fly ball was bobbled in center field, scoring Tommy Gwinn for TMU's third run of the inning.

With the score 9-5, Jackson Webber replaced Eric Crouse on the mound. Miles Henderson plated two more with a single, and Ty Beck delivered the big blow with a two run homer to right to knot the score at 9-9.

The Mustangs threatened to take the lead in the eighth after Kobe Katayama doubled with one out. Schueller entered the game, plunking Gwinn and yielding a single to Young to load the bases. But a huge play ended the inning as Mathiesen's liner was snagged by Buckson at short, and his throw to second doubled off Gwinn to squash the threat.

VU capitalized in the bottom half as Downtain's leadoff walk and Omphroy's double put runners at second and third with no outs. Mazzaferro's single to right scored pinch runner Zubiate for the go-ahead run.

Schueller allowed a leadoff single to Henderson in the ninth and hit Cason Brownell with two outs. But the Mustangs could not cash in as Davis Beavers grounded out to third to end the game.

Why Is It Important?: The Lions got a big win to start GSAC play following wins over a pair of ranked clubs in Arizona last week.

What Was Said?: "We had a great start to the game," said Head Coach Rob Pegg. "All aspects came out firing. Spencer set a great tone for us and we executed very well. We lost some focus after an early lead and they battled back as they will do creating a tight finish. Happy our guys weathered the storm and stayed resilient and found a way to come out on top. We know every conference game is a battle and expect it to continue tomorrow."

What's Next?: The Lions will travel to The Master's for a doubleheader on Saturday, with game one first pitch at 11:00 a.m.