Saturday, February 16, 2008 - Costa Mesa, California
Sunbirds split with Vanguard

Game 1 box score

Costa Mesa- The Sunbirds went down to Vanguard University with hopes to continue their early success on the diamond. In game one they managed to score late for the 2-0 victory, which pushed their streak to seven straight. Game two was another pitchers dual, but ended in favor of the Lions by a score of 2-1.

Chris Schwinden was on point from start to finish as he went all nine innings for a four hit shutout. He also recorded 11 K's while only walking one batter. In his last two outings, the right hander has pitched 17 scoreless frames.

As stated earlier, both pitchers had control of the game which led to a silent performance at the dish for the Sunbirds.

With two outs in the top of the eighth inning, Aaron Lynn would step to the plate and deliver a double to put himself in scoring position. Coach Hirschkorn then pulled Graham Harrison of the bench to pinch hit, which proved to be the right move as the big switch hitter doubled home Lynn to put the Sunbirds ahead 1-0.

Schwinden continued to dominate and would retire the side in order in the home half of the eighth inning.

Jacob Burns used patience at the plate to lead off the ninth with a walk. Coach Hirschkorn again went to his bench to bring Joe Halderman into pinch run. Josh Jackson would then lay down a sacrifice bunt to move Halderman into scoring position.

With just one out and a runner in scoring position, Justin Keeney delivered a single to right field to bring across an insurance run and make it a 2-0 game in favor of the Sunbirds.

The bottom of the ninth again belonged to Schwinden as he went three up and three down to seal the win.

Game 2 box score

After witnessing the great performance on the hill by his teammate, Daniel Brodie decided to keep the Lion's bats silent as well. Brodie only allowed four hits in six frames of work and tallied seven strikeouts while only walking one batter.

Unfortunately his counterpart was on target too and only allowed the Sunbirds to tally five hits and one run. Vanguard would score their two runs in the sixth inning to pull out the come from behind win.

The Sunbirds had plenty in scoring position but failed to bring them across as they left seven runners stranded on the base path.

Mitch Mulligan would come across to score in the third inning by reaching base after getting hit by a pitch. With two outs and Mulligan at second, Casey Padgett singled to right field to bring him around for the Sunbirds lone run.

In the sixth inning the Lions would score with two outs. The Sunbirds nearly escaped the two run inning, but couldn't do so when a Lions' batter doubled in the tying and winning run.

The split of the twin bill puts the Sunbirds at 7-3 overall and 4-1 in the GSAC. They will be back in action on Wednesday, February 20th, when they host British Columbia. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. 

For more information on Lions' baseball click here

Records:
Lions: 6-1, 2-3 GSAC
Sunbirds: 7-3, 4-1 GSAC