Baseball Robert Nilsen

Rivera Helps Royals Top No. 16 Lions 8-4

Costa Mesa, CA – The Hope International University baseball team (14-3, 5-1 GSAC) won their third game in a row as they took down the No. 16 Vanguard University Lions 8-4 in a home game played at Dean Harvey Field in Costa Mesa, CA on Thursday afternoon.

Hector Garcia (1-0) picked up the victory pitching 5 shutout innings allowing just two hits while walking three and striking out nine. David Rivera led the Royals offense going 1-for-5 with a two run home run.

It was a pitcher's duel in the beginning as it was scoreless until the bottom of the fourth. First Aaron Orozco led off with a single. He then advanced to second on a wild pitch and then to third on a groundout. Robert Mattei then stepped to the plate and drove him in with an RBI groundout to make it 1-0. The Royals then added to their lead in the bottom of the fifth. After a leadoff walk Matthew Dorado hit a booming double to center to increase the lead to 2-0. David Rivera then followed by blasting a home run over the right field wall to make it 4-0. 

Bailey Roberson then came in and shutdown the Lions in the top of the sixth before the Royals got to work again in the bottom half. After a leadoff single the Royals took advantage of an error to make it 5-0. Then Derek Sims after another error laid down a perfect bunt allowing the runner to score and him to reach to make it 6-0. A fielder's choice and then a steal of home would then put the Royals on top 8-0.

Royals pitching continued to cruise until the top of the ninth when the Lions struck for four runs to make it 8-4 with two outs. Justin Drury would then come in and needed just one pitch to induce a flyout to end the game as the Royals won 8-4.

The Royals continue their GSAC series at home returning to Duane Winters Field to take on the Lions on Friday, March 3 at 2:00 PM.