SURPRISE, Ariz. – The OUAZ baseball team had few answers for No. 23 Vanguard on Friday as they dropped by games of a GSAC doubleheader at Surprise Stadium. Vanguard pulled away late in winning the opener 10-3 and they completed the sweep with a 5-0 win in game two.
 
GAME 1
The Spirit responded to a leadoff home run from the Lions in the top of the first with a pair of runs on a throwing error in the bottom of the inning. Vanguard quickly took the lead back in the top of the second with two runs of their own.
 
Trailing 5-2 in the bottom of the seventh, OUAZ added a run when Connor Lowrie scored on a wild pitch. The Spirit would then get two runners into scoring position with one out, but the Lions escaped the inning with a strikeout and groundout. They then tacked on four runs in the eighth and another in the ninth for the final margin.
 
The Spirit had just six hits in the game with only Derek Hayenga posting two hits. All six hits were singles. Vanguard would record 10 hits with four extra base hits that included a pair of home runs.
 
Travis Hawkins (4-4) was hit with the loss after allowing five runs on six hits in 6.2 innings.
 
GAME 2
Vanguard starter Schuyler Hill completely shutdown the Spirit in game two allowing only an infield single by Chuck Steele in the fourth inning. OUAZ drew just one walk and they went down on strikes 11 times.
 
The Lions hit three home runs in their 11-hit attack.
 
Cole Anderson (3-3) went 6.2 innings with three strikeouts.
 
UP NEXT
The teams will complete the season series on Saturday with another doubleheader at Surprise Stadium. First pitch of game one is set for 11 a.m.