Box Score IRVINE, Calif. -- The 2023 Golden State Athletic Conference Softball Tournament started Monday and the Vanguard Lions emerged as winners in the opening game.  The fourth-seeded Lions took on Hope, the top-seed in the event and despite being swept by HIU to end the GSAC season, VU punched across the only run of the game to move on in the winner's side of the bracket.  The Lions go to 24-27 overall and Hope drops to 36-13.
 
What Happened?  Each side had four hits in the game, but Brianna Williams was able to out-duel Allie Puente over the course of seven innings.  Williams had three strikeouts and did not walk anyone, with Puente collecting nine Ks but walking one.  Williams improves to 14-10, with Puente dropping to 25-3.
 
Hope had the first hit of the game in the bottom of the first and Tiffany Pope had the first VU knock in the top of the third, but neither could be brought home.  The Royals got two hits back-to-back in the bottom of the third but Williams remained dialed in, getting two ground outs to end the threat.
 
Kaylie Williams had a double for the Lions in the top of the fourth, but Puente got out of the danger with some smooth pitching.  The Royals ended up with their final hit of the contest in the home half of the frame, but like her counterpart, Brianna Williams pitched around the knock.
 
That brought the scoreless action to the top of the sixth and the Blue and Gold chained together a scoring play.  Pope smacked her second single of the game and Noni Chaves bunted her to second.  Ashley Klopfenstein stepped up and mashed a double to left field to score Pope and give the Lions the lead.  Brianna Williams set down the final six batters in a row to seal the win as the Lions toppled the one-seed 1-0. 
 
Neither side had an error in the one-hour and 51-minute game and both sides left four runners on base.  Arizona Christian defeated Jessup 3-1 to take the second game of the day, pitting VU and ACU in the first game of the day tomorrow, which will begin at noon.  HIU and Jessup will square off after that, with the loser going home in the double-elimination bracket.
 
 
What was Said?  "Today was a great team win," said Head Coach Sydney Lahners.  "Bri threw an absolute gem and we are ready to carry this into tomorrow against ACU."