COSTA MESA – Fred Buckson finished 3-for-5 with six RBI to lead the offensive attack as the Vanguard baseball team cruised to a 16-5 victory over Redlands on a windy Tuesday afternoon at Dean Harvey Field.
The 16 runs represented the second-most for the Blue and Gold this season. The Lions pounded out 13 hits but also drew a season-high 14 walks against five Bulldog pitchers.
Emiliano Alarcon and Adam Stevens joined Buckson with multiple-hit games. Michael Downtain and Oscar Diaz each walked three times. Every player in the VU starting lineup reached base at least once.
Nate Madole led a caravan of six Lion pitchers, getting the win to improve to 3-1 overall. He allowed 10 hits and four runs (three earned) with one strikeout. Jackson Webber, Jake Hiner, Austin Brown, Bryce Barnett and Devin Bettencourt combined on the remaining four innings, yielding just five hits and one run the rest of the way.
In addition to Buckson’s six RBI, Diaz, Alarcon and Antonio Omphroy drove in two runs apiece.
The Lions improved to 25-12 on the season, while the Bulldogs – an NCAA Division III club – dropped to 11-14.
What Happened?
The Lions scored once in the first as Corey Jarrell and Stevens executed a double steal of second and home, respectively.
Redlands took a 2-1 lead in the second with four hits in the inning, but the Lions tied the score in the bottom half without getting a ball out of the infield. Bulldog starter Sean McCance walked four Lions, with a free pass to Stevens driving in Alarcon.
The Lions took the lead the good with four runs in the fourth off Redlands reliever Kethan Efron. VU piled up four hits and three walks in the inning, the big blows coming up consecutive doubles from Omphroy and Buckson. Both Lions found the left field corner as Omphroy cashed in Stevens, while Buckson plated both Jarrell and Omphroy.
Redlands cut the lead to 6-4 in the top of the fifth on a two-RBI double by Will Daniels.
However, VU turned the game into a rout with consecutive five-run outbursts in the fifth and sixth innings. Efron’s failed pickoff attempt on Alarcon at second opened the door for the Lions as runners advanced to second and third. Gordon loaded the bases on a fielder’s choice infield dribbler.
The Bulldogs retired the next two Lions, but reliever Jack Brown issued consecutive walks to Diaz and Omphroy to make the score 8-4. Buckson followed with a two-run single and Alarcon widened the lead to 11-4 on an infield single.
Four straight Lions got on base to open the sixth, with Diaz singling to right to score Gordon. Buckson notched his third straight two-RBI hit, going opposite field as Stevens and Downtain hustled home for a 14-4 lead.
Christopher Famolaro added a sacrifice fly and Alarcon completed the scoring with an RBI single.
The Lions emptied the bench in the latter innings and VU relievers threw up zeroes in the sixth, seventh and eighth.
The Bulldogs scored once in the ninth on a Max Clark sacrifice fly.
Why Is It Important?: The Lion offense has found its groove of late, scoring double-digit runs in four of its last eight games.
What Was Said?: “We were patient at the plate in drawing 14 walks and I thought we had good at-bats throughout,” said Head Coach Rob Pegg. “It was nice to get some guys in there off the bench too.”
What’s Next?: The Lions travel to Antelope Valley for a doubleheader on Thursday with first pitch at 2:30 p.m.