Medina, Hawks grab one from Lions

By Nick Pellegrino
ECS staff writer
SANTEE —- San Diego Christian College learned several important lessons during last month’s stretch of ballgames against nationally-ranked NAIA and NCAA Division II competition. The growth led to an impressive victory Friday (Apr. 16).

Trailing throughout against Vanguard University, which is listed among those clubs receiving votes in the latest NAIA coaches rankings, the Hawks rallied to tie in the sixth inning, then bested the Lions in eight innings, 2-1, in the first game of a Golden State Athletic Conference doubleheader at Sportsplex USA. BOXSCORE

Hawks pitcher Amaryssa Medina, who defeated Hope International last week to end the school’s length losing skid, collected her second victory in a week with a complete-game 2-hitter. Medina struck out seven Vanguard batters.

Sophomore second baseman Alicia Corona was the focal point in both runs, tallying in the game-tying marker, then collecting the walk-off, game-winner in the eighth inning.

Depending on which dugout you sit in, San Diego Hawks claimed they put the pressure on to rally; the Lions would argue it was a matter of playing giveaway, allowing Corona to score in the sixth.

The two-out rally saw Corona single to right field, then designated player Erika Silva reached on a fielding error on what should have been an inning-ending, double-play grounder.

Instead, shortstop Noemi Farfan singled to right field to knot the contest.

In extra innings, Vanguard stranded its placed runner. The lead-off batter bunted her to third base with a sacrifice, but the bottom of the batting card failed to knock in the go-ahead run off Medina.

The Hawks placed Hannah Springs on second to open the international tie-breaker. Like Vanguard, freshman Lisette Mejias was successful with her sacrifice bunt.

Corona followed by singled over the head of the Vanguard second baseman — the player that committed the costly, key error — who stood helpless on the base hit to right-center field to plate Springs.

Farfan batted 2-for-3, raising her season batting overage over the .300 plateau.

The Lions came back to sweep the next three games of the weekend series. but the damage was done. The loss to SDCC mathematically eliminated the Lions from catching GSAC West Division-leading Hope International for the title. The Royals are currently rated No. 9 nationally.

San Diego Christian (9-22 overall, 2-17 GSAC West) completes the season next week in Northern California against William Jessup University. The series will consist of five games, with a rain make-up on Thursday, then the regularly scheduled doubleheaders on Friday and Saturday