Lions Drop Double Header To The Mustangs

Recap, photo courtesy of Vanguard

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. - Although the Lions took early leads in both games, the Mustangs rebounded twice to go 2-0 on the day. Vanguard dropped the first match 2-7, and fell in game two 4-12 after allowing 12 hits to TMU. The Blue and Gold are currently 18-5 overall and 8-4 in conference competition.

Game 1: Vanguard 2, The Master's 7
Sam Neufeld (SR/Indio, CA) led off with a single in the top of the first and Caleb Squire (SR/Arvada, CO) doubled to left center. Landon Riker (JR/Marysville, WA) singled to left center for two RBI. Grady Conner (JR/Costa Mesa, CA) added the fourth hit of the inning, but he and Riker were stranded on base. After a scoreless second by both teams, the Mustangs made it a one run game in the third when they scored off two hits. In the fifth and sixth, TMU added six total runs to take control with a 7-2 lead. The Lions failed to neutralize or reclaim the lead, which ended the game in the top of the ninth.

Game 2: Vanguard 4, The Master's 12
Vanguard struck first in game two as well, with a trio of runs in the third inning. Omar Ortiz (JR/Las Vegas, NV) opened with a solo home run. Grady Conner got on next with a bunt single and Riker homered to extend the lead to three. In the bottom of the fourth, the Mustangs tied the game 3-3. In their next at bat, their offense exploded for eight runs behind six hits to put themselves ahead 11-3. In the sixth, Isaiah Lee (FR/Santa Ana, CA) singled and scored when Riker was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. The Master's closed the game out the following inning to win the series 3-1 over the Lions.

Next Game: Friday, March 15 the Lions begin a four game series against Lewis-Clark State College at 12 p.m. in Lewistin, ID.

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