LA MIRADA, Calif. – Old Golden State Athletic Conference foes squared off for the first time in four years as the #8 Lions (0-2) traveled to play Biola University. Vanguard fell by scores of 8-0 and 6-5 as the Eagles have now won five straight over the Blue and Gold. However, the Pride still holds the all-time record at 58-48.
What Happened? The first game of the twin bill is one to be forgotten for the Lions. They are normally the ones on the winning end of "run-rule" games, but their season opened on a sour note. The contest ended in the fifth inning when the Eagles reached the magic number of eight runs. Vanguard only had 15 at-bats, no hits, and only two base runners. Returning star pitcher Vanessa Dwyer (SR/Temple City, CA) opens the season (0-1) as she allowed seven earned runs with 59 of 78 pitches going for strikes.
The second game of the day was different from the jump. After falling behind by a run in the first inning, the Pride took the lead in the third frame forcing a change in pitchers for BU. The game was knotted 3-3 after the top of the fifth inning before the Eagles took a 6-3 edge. The Blue and Gold chipped away two runs in the top of the seventh but fell just short of the comeback. Offensively the team generated 11 hits and five runs.
Why Its Important? This is the first time the team has competed against another school since their season was abruptly stopped last year. Just hours away from departing to play in Northern California, they were stopped in their tracks with a 19-7 overall record and just four games into the conference slate.
Notable Performances: Samantha Vargas (FR/Grand Terrace, CA) took the circle for the first time and tossed a complete game only walking one of 31 batters faced. Inside the box, Angelina Lopez (JR/Riverside, CA) came off the bench to have the best day with two hits and three runs scored. Belle Herrera (SR/Riverside, CA), Ashley Klopfenstein (SO/Indio, CA), Hannah Corrado (SO/Cypress, CA), and Bianca Morales (FR/Spring Valley, CA) all went 2-4 during the game.
What They Said: Head Coach Amber Freeman – "It was so amazing to be back on the field today with my team. I wish there was a different outcome, but my perspective has shifted during these tough times. I feel like it is such a blessing and a privilege to even be able to play the sport during this pandemic. I told my girls to cherish every day that we are able to do what we love because tomorrow is never promised."
What's Next: Tomorrow, February 6th against the University of Saint Katherine at 11:30 a.m.
#ClawsUp
