GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Vanguard baseball opened a three-game series against the Arizona Christian Firestorm on Friday night in Golden State Athletic Conference play.  Vanguard was not lacking chances under the lights, as the squad left 12 runners on base during the contest.  ACU made the most of its prospects and took a 3-1 victory to vault over VU in the league standings.  The Lions fall to 13-6 overall and 3-3 in GSAC play, while ACU goes to 10-8 overall and 4-3 in conference play.
 
 
What Happened?  The Lions left two runners on base in the first inning, as Michael Downtain reached on a fielder's choice and Oscar Diaz singled through the right side of the infield, but a strikeout ended the early attack.  Spencer Edmondson walked one but got two strikeouts in the bottom portion of the frame to keep the score 0-0 after one.
 
The Blue and Gold could have broken open the game in the top of the second, as the squad loaded the bases, but VU could not bring anyone home.  With on scoring through two frames, the Firestorm got on the board after the Lions went down in order in the top of the third.  The home side loaded the bases and got a double to make it 2-0 entering the top of the fourth.
 
The Firestorm tagged on another tally in the bottom of the fifth, as a leadoff walk got ACU moving.  A single and a wild pitch put Arizona Christian up 3-0, and ACU soon had runners on second and third.  However, Edmondson worked his way out of the jam by getting a flyout to end the threat.
 
Vanguard finally got a run on the scoreboard as Nino Vultaggio belted a home run over the left-field fence to bring the score down to 3-1.  But the lineup could not scratch another run off ACU and the team left at least two runners on base five times during the evening.  That included the top of the ninth, as a single by Vultaggio put one runner on and Noah Madole was hit by a pitch to put Lions on first and second.  But the Firestorm kept their composure and closed out the 3-1 win.
 
Vanguard had one run on six hits, while Arizona Christian scored five runs on five hits.  ACU also had one error in the game.  Edmondson drops to 3-1 on the season but delivered nine strikeouts in six innings of work.  Jackson Webber had two Ks in the game and Jesus Munguia fanned one in the bottom of the eighth.  Eli Elliott collects the win for the Firestorm and improves to 2-2.
 
Vultaggio went 2-for-4 in the game to lead VU.  The Lions took six walks as a team in the game but struck out 17 times.
 
What's Was Said?  "No excuses, we just have to be better competitors at the plate.  The rest of our game gave us a chance," said Head Coach Rob Pegg.
 
 
What's Next?  The Lions return to the field to conclude the series tomorrow, starting at 3:00 pm PT.