News

Lions Hand Owls First Loss 6-3

02.07.2013

Oregon Tech Starting Pitcher Chase Meister (photo by Kelly Caleb)

COSTA MESA, Calif. – Oregon Tech took an early 3-1 lead but fell to Vanguard University in non-conference baseball action Thursday afternoon 6-3 at the VU baseball field. Oregon Tech slips to 2-1 on the season with the loss, with Vanguard improving to 4-2 with the win.

The Lions' shortstop Bryce Arroyo facilitated the game's first run with an RBI single to center field. Fourth-year Jason Ochart (Glendale, Calif.) scored on the play, after reaching on a throwing error and stealing second.

Oregon Tech would tie the game at 1 in the top of the second when Aaron Bocchi scored on a Jared Nelson single.

The Hustlin’ Owls took a 3-1 lead in the top of the third gathering on 4 hits including a Ryan Hayden double and a balk on the Lions’ starting pitcher.

In the bottom of the third, however, a base-knock from junior John Schwer, a single from senior Matt Avery and pair of RBI doubles from Arroyo and Francisco Torres brought the game back to even at 3-all.

In the fourth, the Lions' defense and Simmons managed a three-up, three-down performance to bring senior Ellis Whitman up for the Pride offense.

Whitman wasted no time, hitting a single through the right side and then stealing second during classmate Jordan Mould's at bat.

Mould capitalized next, blasting a 2-RBI homerun over the right field fence to give VU a 5-3 advantage going into the fifth.

The final Blue and Gold run was tacked on in the sixth following another hit from Mould and an RBI double by VU batting leader Ochart. Ochart, Arroyo and Mould each recorded two hits in the game.

Senior Scott Simmons made his first home start of the year for the Pride and went five innings. He gave up six hits and allowed three runs but left the game in possession of a two-run lead

Senior Kevin Ponzo garnered his third save of the season, going one inning and striking out three.

Simmons (2-0) posted the win for Vanguard to remain undefeated in his senior campaign.

Chase Meister took the loss for Oregon Tech and drops to 0-1 in 2013.

Aaron Bocchi led Oregon Tech with two hits on the day.

The Hustlin' Owls will travel to Pasadena, California to play Cal Tech on Friday at 2:00 pm.