The Saint Martin’s baseball team opened the 2026 season in much warmer Costa Mesa, California, but the reception was cold as the Saints lost 7-5 to Vanguard on Friday, Jan. 30.
Despite a 4-0 lead early by the Saints, the Lions were able to flip the matchup down the stretch.
Nikki Scott II pitched a scoreless first two innings, while Evan Nicol and Peter Hollabaugh notched RBIs in the first inning for the Saints. Kyle Schabot hit a two-RBI single into left field to round out the first stanza’s scoring.
The Lions responded with three runs in the bottom of the third and then tied the game in the bottom of the fifth.
Jackson Upton drove in a run for the Saints to retake the lead in the top of the sixth inning, but in the bottom of the frame, Vanguard scored three runs to take the 7-5 lead.
Hollabaugh finished the game 2 for 4 with one RBI and two runs, while Cole Yonamine also had a 2 for 4 game with a run. Scott II finished the game having pitched five innings, allowing four runs off six hits and striking out two.
