Lions’ Sandoval, Fuchs earned defensive plaudits

Vanguard University baseball standouts Brandon Sandoval and Michael Fuchs have earned NAIA Gold Glove awards for their defensive excellence in 2017.

Sandoval, a senior center fielder who signed with the Angels after being drafted last week in the 27^th round, was a two-time Golden State Athletic Conference Gold Glove honoree.

Sandoval had 151 putouts and six assists, without an error last season, while also batting a team-best .403 in 53 games. He also had 33 stolen bases.

Fuchs, a junior third baseman who transferred from Golden West College, posted a .981 fielding percentage with 116 assists, 42 putouts and only three errors. He also batted .350 with 28 RBIs for the Lions.

barry.faulkner@latimes.com

Twitter: @BarryFaulkner5