COSTA MESA – The offense for Vanguard softball had struggled to put up runs over the past four games, but VU uncorked 19 runs over the course of two games on Monday.  Taking on Wittenberg, the Lions shut out the Tigers in consecutive games, winning 11-0 and 8-0.  Mackenzie Hofmann (JR/Tujunga, CA) hit two home runs in the first game and three Lions had multiple hits in game two to lead the charge.  The Lions go to 9-7 on the season, while the Ohio-based Tigers fall to 0-4.

What Happened?  With the offense putting up 10 runs over two innings, Brianna Williams (SO/Chandler, AZ) did not feel any pressure during game one.  She threw three innings, striking out three batters and walking three.  Mia Portillo (JR/Buena Park, CA) would pitch the final two innings and also strike out three while giving up two hits. 

Williams helped the team get out of the first inning by catching a line drive that turned into a double play before catching a pop up to end the frame.  The Tigers were not as locked in on defense, as the visitors posted four errors in the bottom of the first inning.  Emma Noble (SO/Camarillo, CA) reached on a bad throw by the third baseman and Bianca Morales (JR/Spring Valley, CA) followed that with a single.  The right fielder for the Tigers struggled to pick up the ball on the single, allowing both Lions to get an extra base.  The error did not amount to much though, as Hofmann then blasted her first home run of the game, putting the Blue and Gold up 3-0.  Williams and Marissa Gurrola (SO/Downey, CA) both reached on singles and both players got an extra base due to another fielding error on Gurrola's hit.  The final error, a drop by the first baseman, allowed Kaylee DeMaio (SO/Simi Valley, CA) to get to second on a grounder, with Gurrola and Williams scoring to push the lead to 5-0.

VU posted another five spot in the home half of the second, as a single by Morales cashed in Kaylie Williams (SO/Moreno Valley, CA), who had led off with a double.  Hofmann then smoked her second home run of the game to left-center to put Vanguard ahead 9-0.  The Lions then loaded the bases and a wild pitch made the score 10-0, though the Lions were unable to score any more.  Despite the mild setback, the Lions tagged on the final run in the bottom of the third.  With the bases loaded, Brianna Williams hit a grounder and the Wittenberg catcher moved her foot off of home plate, allowing Carli Row (JR/Riverside, CA) to score and make the tally 11-0 in favor of VU.

Portillo got a strikeout in the top of the fifth to end the contest, with VU scoring 11 runs on 12 hits, committing one error, and leaving seven runners on base.  Wittenberg had three hits, seven errors, and six runners left aboard.  Williams goes to 5-3 with the win.  Noble, Morales, and Kaylie Williams each had two hits, with Hofmann going 3-for-3 with six RBI.

Game 2

The offense was a little more balanced over the course of the second game, but the result would end up being about the same on the scoreboard.  Mari Ipatzi (FR/Oxnard, CA) threw the entire game and gave up only three hits and one walk while collecting six Ks to improve to 2-2 on the season.

Meanwhile, the team picked up a pair of runs in the bottom of the first.  Kaylie Williams led off with a single and Morales shot a double to the left field corner to bring her home.  After a Hofmann single, Row would snap a ball past the third baseman to score Morales and put the Blue and Gold up 2-0.

Four more runs came across in the bottom of the fourth, with Karly Colenzo (SR/Downey, CA) starting the inning by getting hit by a pitch.  Row reached on a fielder's choice, with Colenzo beating out the attempted tag at second.  An error then allowed Annie Swanson (FR/Eagle, ID) to reach base and Colenzo to score, putting two on with no outs.  Noni Chaves (JR/Ontario, CA) singled to score Row and a double for Megan Ireland (FR/Tempe, AZ) soon followed to put the Lions up 6-0.

Ireland and Kaylie Williams singled to start the bottom of the fifth, with Ireland getting to third base.  Williams attempted to steal second but the throw ended up in center field, allowing Ireland to score.   Down 7-0, Wittenberg got the second out and seemed poised to survive into the sixth frame, but it would not be so.  Colenzo hit a grounder and the first baseman whiffed on the catch, allowing Williams to come around and score to give the Lions the 8-0 win.

VU scored eight runs on 11 hits, leaving seven runners on base.  The Tigers had three hits, two errors, and three runners left aboard.  Kaylie Williams went 3-for-4 in the second contest, with Morales and Ireland each picking up two hits.  Ireland led the squad with two RBI.

Why is it Important?  This was the first meeting between the two schools.  Hofmann joins Sarah Howe, Morales, and Kaylie Williams as the only Lions to hit two home runs in a single game.  Williams did so in the first game last year against Saint Katherine and Morales did it against OUAZ at home and on the road against Antelope Valley. 

What's Next?  The Lions start Golden State Athletic Conference play with a doubleheader against Hope International on Tuesday, starting at 1:00 p.m.