COSTA MESA – Vanguard softball played the first of two weekend doubleheaders Friday, as VU faced the Jessup Warriors to open the homestand.  The two sides were not keen on pulling away early, as both games went beyond seven innings and the sides combined for four total runs on the day.  Both teams scored in the eighth inning in the opening game, but VU left the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth, falling 2-1.  The second matchup was scoreless through seven and a half innings until an RBI single for Noni Chaves (JR/Ontario, CA) in the bottom of the eighth gave the Lions a 1-0 victory.  Vanguard goes to 13-12 overall and 4-5 in Golden State Athletic Conference play, with Jessup going to 16-9 overall and 5-2 in the league.

What Happened?  The first game was a premier pitching dual, as Brianna Williams (SO/Chandler, AZ) and Katie Blankenheim exchanged scoreless innings.  Williams allowed base runners in the first, second, and third, but recovered each time and locked down the Jessup lineup after that until the extra innings.  Blankenheim put on a no-hit clinic until Mackenzie Hofmann (JR/Tujunga, CA) got a single to center in the bottom of the fifth.  However, she quickly got two more outs and the score remained 0-0. 

Each team got a double in the sixth, with Kaylie Williams (SO/Moreno Valley, CA) notching the two-base knock down the left field line for VU, but each pitcher negated the threat to send the contest to the seventh, which also proved to be offensively fruitless.

Jessup immediately scored with the free runner on second in the top of the eighth, as a single and a bad throw home put the Warriors up 1-0.  The leadoff hitter was bunted to third but Brianna Williams got a strikeout to put two away.  A 1-2 pitch missed the zone and on the throw back to Williams, the JU runner tried to swipe home.  The Vanguard starter was alert to the move and flipped the ball back to Kaylie Williams, who made the tag to retire the side.

LeeAnne Miranda (SO/Westminster, CA) pinch ran at second for Hofmann to open the bottom of the eighth and Brianna Williams laid down a perfect bunt down the third base line, reaching first without a throw, with Miranda getting to third.  Chaves then skied a ball to right to bring home Miranda and tie the game, but the Blue and Gold could not push home a winning run.

Brianna Williams got two big outs in the ninth, but a single drove the visitors ahead 2-1.  Williams limited the damage by getting the final out and Ashley Klopfenstein (SR/Indio, CA) was placed on second to start the VU half of the frame.  A bunt by Kaylie Williams got Klopfenstein to third, as Jessup tried to make the out at third but could not get the throw over there in time.  Tiffany Pope (FR/Walnut, CA) then took a walk to load up the bases, putting the Jessup starter in a bind.  Yet just as a tie or a potential win seemed to be in the offing, Blankenheim set down the next three batters in a row to steal a 2-1 victory for Jessup.

The Lions scored one run on three hits and had one error, leaving six runners on base.  JU scored two runs on eight hits and left six base runners on.  Blankenheim had one walk and three strikeouts with 92 pitches, going to 6-5 with the win.  Brianna Williams falls to 7-6 and recorded eight Ks in the losing effort on 128 pitches.

The next fixture was also decided later in the game, as both sides combined for only one hit through four innings.  Miranda was selected to start the second game for the Lions and gave up one walk and the lone JU hit in three innings of work.  However, the walk she surrendered triggered a call to the pen and Mari Ipatzi (FR/Oxnard, CA) replaced her in the circle.  The freshman did not stutter, setting the side down in order and recording six straight outs over the next two frames.

Their Jessup counterpart, Terra Goetz, also kept hits to a minimum, giving up two knocks through five innings.  But she too would be replaced, as Bella MacFarlane would enter for JU in the sixth.  Pope got a leadoff single in the bottom of the sixth and got to second, but MacFarlane ended the inning soon after.  Both sides were quiet in the seventh and for the second time on Friday, the game went to extra innings.

Ipatzi put JU down one-two-three in the top of the eighth and Lexi Rolin (FR/Bakersfield, CA) was placed on second in the bottom half. She got to third on a ground out by Pope, bringing up Megan Ireland (FR/Tempe, AZ).  She swatted a ball on the left side that the defenders could not find in time, putting her at first, although Jessup was able to keep Rolin at third.  That brought up Chaves, who took a couple of pitches and then lasered a ball right past second base, scoring Rolin to collect the walkoff 1-0 win.

The Lions scored their lone run on six hits, had four errors, and left four runners on base.  JU had only one hit, one error, and four runners left on base.  Ipatzi and Miranda each struck out three, with Ipatzi throwing five perfect innings to pick up her third win of the season (3-3).  McFarlane drops to 2-2, as she gave up four hits.  Ireland and Hofmann were both 2-for-3 to pace the VU lineup.

Why is it Important?  The win keeps Vanguard within striking distance of second, as HIU leads the GSAC at 8-2.  Jessup will take on Hope tomorrow, potentially bringing the gap to first down.  The win also snaps a three-game losing streak against Jessup, who had also won five of the past six meetings.  It was also the first time since 2021 that the two sides have needed extra innings.

What's Next?  Vanguard will take on the Menlo Oaks tomorrow for another GSAC doubleheader starting at noon.