Costa Mesa -- In the first game of a three game series between Vanguard baseball and the Stanislaus State Warriors, the Lions fell just short of a late game comeback. After being down 7-2 going into the 8th inning, Vanguard tagged on four runs, putting them one away from a tie, but the squad was unable to push it across with runners in scoring position in the bottom of the ninth. Vanguard dropped to 2-2, while the Warriors improved to 4-0.
What Happened? Caden Byers got the start and went five innings, striking out five while allowing four earned runs. The second and third innings were a struggle, as Stanislaus used a home run in the top of the second and three singles in the third to vault ahead 4-0.
Vanguard's offense began in the bottom of the third, as Tristan Gallegos singled into left-center field, and an error by Stanislaus St. scored Jaxson Davis to make it 4-1. In the bottom of the fourth, Nathan Hellein doubled to left field, got to third on a ground out, and came home on a past ball to cut the Warriors lead to 4-2
Stanislaus St. pushes across three more runs in the sixth, with four hits doing the damage, extending the advantage to 7-2. However, Khoi Anderson and Caleb Lambertson held the Warriors at bay the last three innings, setting up the chance for a comeback. Anderson struck out three batters while only allowing one hit through two innings. Lambertson worked a scoreless 9th inning to set the stage.
A trio of runs made it 7-5 in the bottom of the eighth, with Angel Perez leading off with a walk. He got to third a couple of plays later, and on another wild pitch, Perez scampered hom to make it 7-3. After Evan Avitia worked a walk, Tyler Shigenaka doubled, sending Joshua Sur and Avitia home for a 7-5 score.
In the bottom of the ninth, Gallegos reached on an error and Colton Perez singled to put two on the base paths. Angel Perez bunted them forward a base, putting the pair in scoring position with only one out. James Derflinger singled to bring home Gallegos, but the Lions were unable to get the tying run home, falling 7-6.
Stanislaus had seven runs on 11 hits, two errors, and seven runners left on base. VU had six runs on 10 hits, one error, and 11 runners left aboard. Derflinger had a 3-for-5 day to lead VU, with Colton Perez picking up two hits. Byers dropped to 0-1.
What's Next? The Lions play an 11:00 a.m. douleheader against the Warriors
