CLAREMONT, Calif. -- The rainy season pushed the Vanguard softball doubleheader against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps from early March to Friday afternoon.  Even though it was clear skies in Claremont, it was a gloomy afternoon for the Blue and Gold.  The Lions were able to hang with the Athenas for a couple of innings but could not surmount a deficit in either game, falling 9-5 and 6-2.  Kaylie Williams once more had a home run in each game, the second doubleheader in a row she has done that.  The Lions drop to 14-15 overall and CMS improves to 15-5.

What Happened?  While the Lions got the opening hit of the game in the first from Noni Chaves, CMS would get on the board in the bottom half to start the scoring.  A single and a couple of groundouts got the leadoff hitter to third and another single put the hosts up 1-0.  Brianna Williams got some help in the top of the second, as the Lions pegged four runs on the board.  The VU starter got a one-out single and a batter later, Tiffany Pope clobbered a triple to center to level the score at 1-1.  Aeri Corral took a walk and up stepped Kaylie Williams, who smoked a home run to center to press Vanguard ahead 4-1.
Yet CMS had another fruitful inning in the bottom of the second, as a pair of doubles and a sac-fly sliced the gap to 4-3.  Both LeeAnne Miranda and Hannah Adams had clean frames in the third but a walk and a couple of errors in the bottom of the fourth allowed the Athenas to equalize at 4-4.  The home side snagged a lead in the bottom of the fifth against Mia Portillo, as a leadoff single was eventually cashed in off a single.  However, VU got the third out at the same time, as Chaves made a perfect throw to second base to get the batter trying to stretch the single into a double.
Good defense turned into offense in the top of the sixth, as Ashlyn Whipple started the frame with a double.  Andrea Connor came on to run for her and was bunted to third.  Kaylie Williams came to the plate with two outs and delivered once again, as the catcher dinged a double to tie the game at 5-5.
However, CMS took advantage of some mistakes in the bottom of the sixth to once more capture a lead, as four runs came across.  Brianna Williams came back to the circle after Mia Portillo allowed a leadoff walk but two errors in the period resulted in the Athenas leading 9-5 at the end of the frame.  The Blue and Gold would return to the dugout in order in the top of the seventh, ending the game on the wrong end of the 9-5 scoreline.
Vanguard had five runs, nine hits, four errors, and six runners left on base.  CMS had nine runs on eight hits, leaving five runners on base.  Adams goes to 2-1 on the season, collecting two strikeouts along the way.  Miranda takes the loss and falls to 2-1, with Brianna Williams getting the only K for VU in the game.  Chaves went 3-for-4 in the game to lead the lineup in hits, with Kaylie Williams going 2-for-4 with four RBI.
The second ball game was also close early on, though CMS again scooted away when the Lions got close.
Vanessa Robles got the call to start game two but was touched for three runs over her 1.1 innings of work.  Mari Ipatzi entered the fray in the bottom of the second and was able to get out of a bases-loaded situation and the offense jumped on the board in the top of the third.  Corral plopped down a one-out single and Kaylie Williams smacked her second home run of the day over the fence in left to cut the gap to 3-2.
But on came the Athenas in the bottom half, as Ipatzi surrendered three singles and a double to see the gap run up to 6-2.  Brianna Williams came on and replaced her and got the final two outs of that inning, with the sophomore dealing a no-hitter over the next three frames to keep CMS at bay.  Unfortunately, the Athenas also held VU hitless over the fifth and sixth innings.  The Lions did have a glimmer of hope in the top of the seventh, as Karly Colenzo took a walk and Pope doubled to left field, but three quick outs handed CMS the 6-2 victory.
The Lions had two runs on five hits, two errors, and four runners left on base.  CMS had six runs, nine hits, and six runners left on base.  Robles falls to 0-2 on the season and Brianna Williams picked up six strikeouts in her relief appearance.  Kaylie Williams now has four home runs in four-straight contests and went 2-for-3 in the second game.  VU is now 9-5 against CMS all-time.

What's Next?  The Blue and Gold will take on San Diego Christian tomorrow at noon.  The teams will resume the suspended game from March 10 first, with VU leading 5-0 in the top of the fourth as the visiting team.  After that is done, the two will play the scheduled GSAC doubleheader.