BOX SCORE

COSTA MESA, Calif. — Vanguard's Richard Jessup tossed a complete-game, five-hit shutout to lead the Lions to a 4-0 win over Biola in a GSAC game at the Vanguard Baseball Field in Costa Mesa on Wednesday.

The Eagles (3-4, 1-2 GSAC) received another strong pitching performance from junior Brian Albert (0-2). However, for the second-straight time this year, Albert walked away with a loss despite allowing just two earned runs over six innings.

Vanguard (5-3, 1-2 GSAC) didn't need much offense on the day, but received enough from Zach Leighton and Derek Craddock, who combined to go 5-for-8 with three RBIs on the day.

The Lions opened the scoring in the bottom of the second inning as Leighton drove home his brother Tyson Leighton with a two-out single to center.

Biola had its best chance to get on the board in the top of the fourth. With one out, Hawkins Gebbers and Kris Cook hit back-to-back singles, but Gebbers was caught trying to steal third and–after a walk to Brent Chavez–Cook was thrown out at the plate trying to score on a single by David West.

Vanguard would add another run in the bottom of the inning as Keegan Freeman stole home on a perfectly executed first-and-third double-steal.

Craddock drove in another run in the fifth with an RBI single and the Lions would close out the scoring in the eighth on an RBI double by Leighton.

Jessup kept the Biola offense in check, allowing just five singles–three in the fourth inning–and striking out four. He allowed just three baserunners over the final five innings with just one reaching second base to shut the door on the Eagles.

Albert had another good outing for Biola, allowing three runs–two earned–on six hits over 6-2/3 innings, adding four strikeouts.

The Eagles return to action on Saturday (Feb. 16) for a GSAC doubleheader against Point Loma Nazarene beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Eagles Diamond.