Lions baseball team still roaring

Tony Altobelli

We can’t call the Vanguard University baseball team a fluke

anymore.

After my first article on the Lions seven games into the season, my

endless adjectives and astronomical projections and statistics might have

been fodder for the eternal pessimist, allowing them to say, “Heck, it’s

only seven games, they’ll come back to Earth soon.”

Well, 23 games later, there’s still no sign of the Lions on the Doplar

Radar, Ms. Negative Nancy.

Vanguard, a 9-38 team last year, is already 19-11 and in third place

in the Golden State Athletic Conference standings with an 8-6 record.

The Lions split a doubleheader with Biola, the No. 8 in the nation,

according to the NAIA polls, giving the Eagles only their fourth loss of

the season in 26 games.

The key to this newfound success? Runs, runs and more runs.

The Lions’ offense was, well, offensive last year, occupying the

cellar in just about every statistic imaginable.

This year, Vanguard is third in the GSAC with a .324 average and

second in runs (149), home runs 26 and runs batted in (135).

“We made some personnel changes and we knew we are a more talented

team this year,” Vanguard Coach Kevin Kasper said. “Our pitchers must

have felt like they had to throw zeros every time out last year, but now,

they have more confidence because our offense is contributing in a big

way.”

The Lions quartet of Chad Chop (.443, 35 runs scored, 29 RBIs), Sam

Baeder (.385, 27 RBIs), Anthony Walker (.351, 33 hits, 26 runs scored)

and Sam Riddell (.342, team-leading nine home runs, 35 RBIs) have helped

Vanguard’s batting average jump nearly 80 points higher than last year’s

.247.

“So far, if one or two guys start to slump, someone else carries the

offense for a stretch,” Kasper said. “We’ve been able to put up some big

numbers and it’s mainly been due to those guys.”

Add into the mix Jeremy Isherwood’s .388 batting average and Matt

Tisthammer’s .367 mark and you’ve got a lineup with not too many easy

outs in it.

The increased run supply has not only lowered the blood pressure of

the Lions’ pitching staff, but their ERAs as well.

Anthony Walker, a hardluck 2-11 pitcher last year, is 5-3 with a 4.03

ERA this season. He leads the GSAC in innings pitched (47 1/3),

strikeouts (40) and complete games (4).

Defensive success usually comes up the middle the Lions are no

exception. Tisthammer has been a solid shortstop for Kasper this year,

while center fielder Michael Bair has ended many a rally with his gap

coverage.

“Matt’s defense really helps the rest of the defense settle down and

play better,” Kasper said. “Mike hasn’t been as successful at the plate

as he’d like to be, but he’s saved a ton of runs with his speed in the

outfield.”

The top four teams in the GSAC advance to the playoffs and according

to Kasper, the Lions have the talent to remain in that elite company.

“Biola and Azusa Pacific will probably be there, but from there, it’s

anyone’s ball game,” Kasper said. “Our team believes they can compete and

make the playoffs and they’ll be disappointed if they don’t reach the

playoffs. There’s no clear-cut bottom dweller, so it should be

interesting to see what develops.”

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES!

Stats from 2000 to 2001

2000 (47 games) 2001 (30 games)

Runs 182 149

Hits 356 323

Doubles 79 55

Home runs 21 29

RBIs 162 135

Batting Average .247 .324

Slugging % .349 .479

Total bases 444 544

Record 9-38 19-11

GSAC standing Last 3rd