Lions blow lead
If one listened intently to the stark silence that followed a surprising ninth inning Tuesday, one might have heard the air being let out of the Vanguard University baseball team’s balloon.
Truth be told, any discernible air flow escaping from the aftermath of an 8-6 nonconference loss to visiting Antelope Valley University was a function of the Lions blowing it.
“We gave them every single run in that game,” Vanguard Coach Rob Pegg said after his No. 9-ranked team blew up its 11-game winning streak by surrendering a 6-3 lead through eight innings. “It’s too bad. You hate to lose when you give them away.”
Vanguard (34-10-1), which won its first 11 games in April, only one of which by more than five runs, had no errors heading into the ninth on Tuesday. But the hosts’ charitable contributions that were beyond the discretion of the official scorer (a bobble on a would-be double play and a wild pitch) contributed to the Pioneers’ first three runs.
In the ninth, Vanguard appeared set to maintain its recent roll, as senior closer Michael Jordan and his NAIA-leading 15 saves took the mound attempting to notch his seventh save in his last seven appearances.
Jordan retired the first hitter on a comebacker and induced a routine ground ball to third for what should have been the second out. But junior third baseman Trai Patrick committed his team-worst 19th error by throwing wide to first base.
The next hitter bounced again to Patrick, who threw wide of second base, nixing a would-be game-ending double play.
After three straight singles pulled the visitors within 6-5, a grounder to short gave the Lions a strong chance at yet another game-ending double play. But second baseman Dylan Ramie, inserted two innings earlier as a defensive replacement, threw wide to first after making the pivot, allowing the tying run to score. Compounding the miscue, which could not be scored an error, because an out was recorded at second, first baseman Matt Harris overthrew Jordan after the play and the go-ahead run scored as the ball rolled into foul territory beyond the third-base line. A single drove in the final run for the Pioneers (34-13), leaving Jordan with his third blown save in 18 chances, despite not being charged with an earned run.
“[Jordan, whose previous blown save on Feb. 26 against Marymount included an unearned run] has been solid and he had another [save there] if we only play catch,” Pegg said.
The defensive meltdown also cost junior starter Chris Lumanlan a victory. Lumanlan allowed two earned runs on five hits over seven innings and exited in position to improve to 4-0.
Vanguard senior Matt Silbermann allowed one run on two hits in the eighth.
A three-run double by senior shortstop Jose Rojas, as well as RBI singles from senior center fielder Paul Keating and junior right fielder Brock Eissman keyed a five-run third inning for Vanguard.
The Lions added a run on an RBI single from junior left fielder Brandon Sandoval in the sixth.
Sandoval and Keating were both two for four to account for half of the Lions hits, while Antelope Valley amassed 12 hits and did not commit an error.
AVU senior Brian Cuiriz worked 4 1/3 relief innings, allowing three hits and one run, to earn the victory.
Pegg said Tuesday’s game should serve as a wake-up call as the Lions, one game behind Westmont in the Golden State Athletic Conference standings, make a run at the conference regular-season crown with six conference games left.
“You have to learn from games like this and guys have to get better,” Pegg said.
Vanguard begins a three-game series at The Master’s on Friday at 2 p.m. The Lions then close the season with a three-game set (April 29-30) at home against Biola. Biola and The Master’s are tied for third place, five games behind Vanguard.
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Nonconference
Antelope Valley 8, Vanguard 6
SCORE BY INNNGS
AVU 00 020 015 – 8 12 0
VU 005 001 000 – 6 8 3
White, Sutten, (3), Cuiriz (5) and Teson; Lumanlan, Silbermann (8), Jordan (9), Ostrea (9) and Bettencourt. W – Cuiriz, 4-1. L – Jordan, 0-1. 2B – Rojas (VU), Teson (AV).
