By Jimmy Dent
04/02/05
The Pride takes two from Westmont College
Costa Mesa, Calif - After a nice 14-7 victory over Westmont College in Santa Barbara yesterday, VU came back home to Costa Mesa last night, to take on the Warriors this afternoon, to finish off the season series in a Golden State Athletic Conference double-header.
Matt Franco played the hero in game one when he contributed a pinch-hit game-winning double down the right field line, breaking the 6-6 tie, giving VU the 7-6 win. Game two brought out the offense, sparked by senior Mike Sparks who ripped a grand slam home run over the left field wall, leading the Lions to an 11-0 victory.
Todd Merz started game one for the Lions going six and two-thirds innings, but was granted the no-decision. Ryan McGill started for Westmont, but was only able to throw no more than three complete innings. McGill lost his command in the second inning throwing a few wild pitches, putting two runners on board, and allowing Vanguard slugger, Nik Crouch an opportunity to bring home his teammates. Crouch has contributed eight round-trippers this year, and he decided to add to his total today, blasting a McGill pitch over the left-center field wall for a three-run homerun.
Westmont rallied back in the top of the sixth inning scoring two runs on poor Vanguard defense, and added three more runs in the top of the eighth inning. Andrew Riddle relieved Merz in the seventh but was pulled in the eighth after giving up three hits. Bobby Klein was called to Riddles’ rescue, but gave up a single to Eric Menees, bringing home two of the Warriors’ runs. WC went on to score one more run in the inning, tying the game at six.
The game was decided in the bottom of the eleventh inning when Franco was called upon off the bench to pinch hit for Kyle Franz. Franco drove a double down the right field line, scoring Crouch from second, giving the Lions a very important GSAC win. Klein earned his second win in two days, improving his overall record to 4-2.
Franco wasn’t done with the heroics for the day. Coach Mallernee handed the game ball to Franco giving him the start in game two. Franco delivered a complete game, three hit shutout for the streaking Pride. In the second inning, the Warriors starter Tyson Bagley handed Vanguard their first three runs, all coming on bases loaded walks. The Lions tallied seven runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Sparks welcomed Jonathan Cedeno, who relieved Bagley, to the game, with a grand slam over the left field wall. Cedeno was frazzled, giving up a walk to Aaron Barret and a single to Isaac Salazar. Before Cedeno could get out of the inning, Luke Iverson blasted a three run home run over the left-center field wall, bringing home three more runs in the inning, and giving VU the 11-0 lead. Franco mowed down the Warriors offense 1-2-3 in the top of the seventh to take home the victory. Franco improved his record to 1-1 on the season while Bagley dropped to 2-3 overall.
The double-header sweep brings Vanguard up to 8-8 in conference play, and 12-17 overall. The Lions will travel to Riverside, California on Tuesday, April 5, 2005 to play California Baptist University in a non-conference game. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.