COSTA MESA -- With a partial game already giving Vanguard softball a victory on Saturday, the Lions and San Diego Christian took to the VU Softball Field for the scheduled Golden State Athletic Conference doubleheader with VU as the home team.  Brianna Williams shone in the opening game, dealing her second no-hitter of the season to silence the Hawks and pick up a 1-0 victory.  The Blue and Gold scored one run again in the second game but SDCC would bounce back with two runs to snag a 2-1 win.  The Lions go to 16-16 overall and 7-7 in the GSAC, with the Hawks going to 7-15 overall and 3-9 in the conference.   

What Happened?  Williams was clinical, striking out eight batters and walking only two over her seven innings of action.  Her walks came in the top of the first and second but no Hawk would get beyond second base on the day.  She threw her first no-hitter just three Saturdays ago against OUAZ and now has one at home to complement that feat.
The offense ended up just needing the one run, which came in the bottom of the second.  Mackenzie Hofmann reached on a fielder's choice and Aeri Corral was hit by a pitch.  Both got to take a base on a wild pitch and a second one a few pitches later allowed Hofmann to trot home, giving Vanguard the 1-0 lead.
Vanguard had three hits on the game, one each from Kaylie Williams, Emma Noble, and Bianca Morales.  VU left seven runners on base and SDCC left one on the base paths.  Brianna Williams improved to 9-6 on the season and despite taking the loss, credit was due to SDCC pitcher Amaryssa Medina, who went all seven for the Hawks and kept the Lions from scoring any more runs.

While the team was ecstatic about the no-no, spirits had dropped by the time the second game came to a close.  It did not appear that way early on, as the Lions scored first in the bottom of the second.  Hofmann blistered a one-out double into the left-field corner, bringing up Lexi Rolin.  She batted a single to left and the SDCC outfielder let the ball go under her glove and roll to the fence, allowing Hofmann to score.  However, that would be the only run the Blue and Gold could muster.
But the Hawks played themselves into a lead in the top of the third.  Emily Anderson allowed a leadoff walk and the batter stole second.  A bunt got her to third and a single leveled the score at 1-1.  Two more singles followed, with the second one coming right back to Anderson and hitting her in the leg.  With the bases loaded, VU made a pitching change, and out came Vanessa Robles to try to get two outs.  While she was able to do that, she first gave up a walk that brought home the second SDCC run to send the guests ahead 2-1.
Vanguard sprinkled in a couple of hits over the rest of the game but Kaitlyn Bailey kept the VU hitters off balance, forcing them to hit right into the Hawk defense.  The visitors held on for the 2-1 win to earn a split in the season series.
VU had one run on seven hits, leaving five runners on base.  SDCC had two runs on five hits and had seven runners left aboard.  Kaylie Williams and Lexi Rolin each had two hits for the Lions.  Anderson falls to 0-4 and Bailey improves to 3-3.

Why is it Important?  The Lions are just behind ACU and Jessup in the standings and Hope International was idle on the day, making the gap to first still tantalizing in reach.  VU is now 36-10 all-time against the Hawks.

What's Next?  The Blue and Gold will play a Monday doubleheader starting at noon against the Buccaneers of Park Gilbert (Ariz.).