Ninth-ranked Vanguard used a five-run seventh inning to erase a 6-3 deficit and went on to defeat #12 PLNU 9-7 Thursday afternoon in Costa Mesa. Tyson Leighton hit two home runs for Vanguard, while Tyler Kuehl highlighted the Sea Lions' day by going 2-for-4 with three RBI and a home run.

The Sea Lions would get on the board quickly, as Alex Cameron singled in the first inning and would later score on a groundout. Vanguard's Lions wasted no time responding though, getting to PLNU starter Brandon Dixon in the bottom half of the inning. After tying the game on a balk, VU took a 3-1 lead on a two-run homer by Leighton.

PLNU came right back, hitting VU starter Jason Dovel for five runs in the second inning, all coming with two outs.

Evan Lippow got it started with a single. Alec Martinez drew a walk and Allen Boyer singled to score Lippow. Cameron walked to load the bases for Kuehl who delivered with a two-run single, giving the Sea Lions back the lead at 4-3. Wes Kartch would plate two more with a single, making the score 6-3.

Both pitchers would settle down after that, and Dixon worked his way through the next four innings with relative ease. Dovel threw two more innings and was replaced by James McGeary, who looked very sharp in five innings of relief work. Vanguard would inch closer in the 5th when Brandon Young doubled and scored on a single to make the score 6-4 PLNU.

Dixon ran into trouble in the 7th and with two on and two out he was replaced by Davis Koenig. He surrendered a single to Eric Krzysiak which scored both runners and tied the game at six. Kip Masuda singled to extend the inning for the Lions and Leighton made the Sea Lions pay by connecting for his second shot of the game, a three-run homer that made the score 9-6 VU.

Kuehl homered with two outs in the ninth to give the Sea Lions some brief life, but the next batter popped up to end the game. McGeary earned the win for the Lions, giving up just one hit in five innings out of the bullpen. Dixon gave up six runs in 6 2/3 innings, but it was Koenig getting the loss after giving up the go-ahead homer to Leighton.

Krzysiak finished the game 3-for-4 with three RBI, while Leighton was 2-for-5 with five RBI to lead Vanguard (26-7, 17-5). PLNU was unable to capitalize on a chance to tie the Lions for second place in the conference, as they fell to 15-7 in GSAC play.

The two schools will meet up this Saturday to complete their season series with a doubleheader at PLNU beginning at noon.

-Jeremiah Wood