REDDING, Calif. -- Vanguard softball went back to work Saturday against Simpson and Oregon Tech to complete the triangular between the three programs. Unfortunately, day two was not productive for the Lions, as the team lost both games. The Red Hawks escaped with a 2-1 victory and the Owls avenged their loss yesterday in a 12-1 decision over Vanguard. VU is now 9-3 overall, with Simpson going to 4-6 at the end of the day and OIT improving to 5-3.
G 1: Game was one was certainly quite the dual between SU starter Kylee Potes and VU ace Brianna Williams (FR/Chandler, AZ). Both teams combined for eight total hits, as the defenses backed up both pitchers all game long without an error. VU went down in order in the top of the first and the Red Hawks then got a lead-off single in the home half of the frame. But Kaylie Williams (FR/Moreno Valley, CA) gunned down the runner trying to steal second and VU was quickly back to the plate.
With no runners in the second for each team, Vanguard came to the plate in the third and got a one-out double from Ashley Klopfenstein (JR/Indio, CA), but the next two hitters went back to the dugout rapidly to leave her stranded in scoring position. B. Williams was perfect in the bottom of the third and the Lions again threatened in the top of the fourth. Noni Chaves (SO/Ontario, CA) took a walk and Amarah Farley (FR/Hemet, CA) bunted her to second. Bianca Morales (SO/Spring Valley, CA) also took a walk but both ended up being left on base, as VU could not find a hole to hit through.
Simpson took the lead on a single in the bottom of the fourth but B. Williams was able to escape from a bases-loaded jam with a strikeout and a ground out. Lailoni Mayfield (SR/Cerritos, CA) got aboard to start the top of the sixth and again Vanguard moved her to second on a sac-bunt. However, a ground out and a pop-up ended the chance to tie the game.
A double scored the second run of the game for Simpson and that left VU chasing two in the final frame. Two quick outs seemed to kill any shot at a comeback but B. Williams gave the squad some hope, as she slugged a home run to make it 2-1. But the next batter struck out looking to give Simpson the win.
Vanguard had one run on three hits and left four on base, with Simpson scoring two runs on five hits, with five left aboard. B. Williams had four strikeouts and two walks in six innings, as she falls to 7-1 on the season. Potes had five Ks and two walks in the winning effort.
G 2: VU had used quality defense and clutch running to beat the Owls on Friday but Oregon Tech would have none of that on Saturday. The Owls took the lead early and never looked back.
LeeAnne Miranda (FR/Westminster, CA) took the circle first and soon faced runners at the corners. She stepped up under pressure, limiting the damage to one run, as she picked up a flyout that made it 1-0 OIT, a pop-out, and another flyout to get out of the frame. The Blue and Gold took a walk in the bottom of the first and second but the offense could not move either runner, leaving the Lions down 1-0 after two innings.
OIT scored another run off a single in the top of the third and while Mayfield got a one-out single in the bottom of the inning, she did not advance beyond first, as the Lions went down quickly after that. The Owls scored two in the top of the fourth and Mia Portillo (SO/Buena Park, CA) got the nod to replace Miranda. However, OIT scored two runs off of Portillo in the top of the fifth to take a 6-0 lead.
The Lions did get one run in the bottom of the fifth, as Mayfield drove in a run on a ground-out to second. But Oregon Tech then hung six runs on VU in the top of the sixth and with the designated home team unable to score in the bottom half, the Owls grabbed the victory via the mercy rule 12-1.
Miranda takes the loss, as she went four innings, giving up six hits, four runs, and four walks. Portillo went two frames and gave up eight runs on seven hits, walking four, and getting two strikeouts. The Lions got six hits from six different players but left all six on base. OIT had 12 runs on 13 hits and seven left on base. Neither team committed an error.
What's Next? The Blue and Gold will start a three-date homestand next, with the Pioneers of Antelope Valley up first on Wednesday, February 16, at noon.
