Within the Numbers
Having roughly 40 days to recruit before the 2008/09 academic year started Coach Grajeda brought in 13 recruits, highlighted by the #2 prospect in the NAIA by Baseball America in Nick Akins. Akins, a transfer form Riverside Community College, was drafted in his only performance at Vanguard in the 19th round of the 2009 Major League Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Akins was the first position player in the GSAC after leading the Lions in: home runs 13, hits 53, at bats 169, rbi 35, and was third in stolen bases with 9 and hit for a .314 avg., on the year. Grajeda’s recruiting class also produced the sixth best hitter in the GSAC in 2009 with Josh Manzano’s .379 avg.
Offensively, the Lions saw several returners blossom under the first year head coach. Derek Craddock , who in 2008 hit .217 avg., resurrected himself to a .325 avg. with 38 hits, 2 homeruns and 25 rbi. Keegan Freeman upped his 2008 average of .160 to a career high of .321 avg., with 50 hits, 5 homeruns and 25 rbi. Mike Anderson, who strictly pitched last year, hit .370 avg., in 73 at bats with 27 hits, 3 homeruns and 20 rbi.
Overall the 2009 Lions hit for a .289 avg., with 49 homeruns and 63 stolen bases. The 2009 homerun and stolen base totals rank #1 in school history since Vanguard changed its name form Southern California College in 2000. The Lions offensively in the GSAC in 2009 were:
-7th in hitting (2008 .220 avg. last)
-Tied for 3rd in HR’s with 37
-Tied for 1st in Triples
-Nick Akins was 4th in HR’s with 11
On the mound, a lone Lion was able to further his career as RHP Richard Jessup signed a professional contract with the Amarillo Dillas of the United Baseball League. Currently, Jessup has a .279 era in 39 innings of work.
The Lions were 5 games better in the GSAC with a 13-23 conference mark and overall mark of 19-28. In 2008 the Lions were 8-28 within conference play and 17-31 overall. The 2009 Lions have plenty to be proud about as they continue to move forward:
-Won 7 of 13 one run games
-More than half of the Lions conference wins were against postseason opponents
-The Loins beat 6 ranked opponents: #3 Point Loma (NAIA CWS Runner-up), #4 Biola twice,#8 Azusa Pacific, #15 The Masters College twice (NAIA Regional Participant), and #24 Fresno Pacific (NAIA CWS Participant)
-Produced 3 Scholar Athletes in: Sonny Berhends, Chris Carls and Matt Curtis.
With a firm foundation in place the future looks bright for the Lions in 2010.
Having roughly 40 days to recruit before the 2008/09 academic year started Coach Grajeda brought in 13 recruits, highlighted by the #2 prospect in the NAIA by Baseball America in Nick Akins. Akins, a transfer form Riverside Community College, was drafted in his only performance at Vanguard in the 19th round of the 2009 Major League Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Akins was the first position player in the GSAC after leading the Lions in: home runs 13, hits 53, at bats 169, rbi 35, and was third in stolen bases with 9 and hit for a .314 avg., on the year. Grajeda’s recruiting class also produced the sixth best hitter in the GSAC in 2009 with Josh Manzano’s .379 avg.
Offensively, the Lions saw several returners blossom under the first year head coach. Derek Craddock , who in 2008 hit .217 avg., resurrected himself to a .325 avg. with 38 hits, 2 homeruns and 25 rbi. Keegan Freeman upped his 2008 average of .160 to a career high of .321 avg., with 50 hits, 5 homeruns and 25 rbi. Mike Anderson, who strictly pitched last year, hit .370 avg., in 73 at bats with 27 hits, 3 homeruns and 20 rbi.
Overall the 2009 Lions hit for a .289 avg., with 49 homeruns and 63 stolen bases. The 2009 homerun and stolen base totals rank #1 in school history since Vanguard changed its name form Southern California College in 2000. The Lions offensively in the GSAC in 2009 were:
-7th in hitting (2008 .220 avg. last)
-Tied for 3rd in HR’s with 37
-Tied for 1st in Triples
-Nick Akins was 4th in HR’s with 11
On the mound, a lone Lion was able to further his career as RHP Richard Jessup signed a professional contract with the Amarillo Dillas of the United Baseball League. Currently, Jessup has a .279 era in 39 innings of work.
The Lions were 5 games better in the GSAC with a 13-23 conference mark and overall mark of 19-28. In 2008 the Lions were 8-28 within conference play and 17-31 overall. The 2009 Lions have plenty to be proud about as they continue to move forward:
-Won 7 of 13 one run games
-More than half of the Lions conference wins were against postseason opponents
-The Loins beat 6 ranked opponents: #3 Point Loma (NAIA CWS Runner-up), #4 Biola twice,#8 Azusa Pacific, #15 The Masters College twice (NAIA Regional Participant), and #24 Fresno Pacific (NAIA CWS Participant)
-Produced 3 Scholar Athletes in: Sonny Berhends, Chris Carls and Matt Curtis.
With a firm foundation in place the future looks bright for the Lions in 2010.
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