CLAREMONT, Calif. – Vanguard softball extended its winning streak to five straight after taking both ends of Saturday's road doubleheader, 2-0 and 5-1, against NCAA Division III program Pomona-Pitzer.
The Lions got stellar pitching performances from Brianna Williams, Mia Portillo and Mari Ipatzi as the trio allowed just 12 hits and one run across the two contests.
VU pounded out 21 hits offensively during the twinbill, with Amarah Farley going 4-for-7 with a run scored and an RBI. Freshman Kamryn Walker also collected three hits, scoring twice and driving in a run.
The Blue and Gold also played well defensively with just one error in the two games.
VU improved to 5-1 on the season, while the Sagehens opened their 2024 campaign 0-2.
What Happened?
Game 1 – Vanguard 2, Pomona-Pitzer 0
Junior Brianna Williams recorded her second shutout of the season and 12th of her career after scattering seven hits while walking no one and whiffing seven in an efficient 92-pitch outing.
The right-hander retired 10 of the first 11 Sagehens before allowing a one-out double to Devin Waddell in the fourth inning. But Williams got the next two hitters to strike out and foul out.
Williams avoided trouble in the fifth as she stranded another runner in scoring position. Brooke Bullis hit a leadoff double to left center. After a failed sac bunt attempt by Bella Carreon for the first out, pinch hitter Marie Milton followed with an infield single. However, the ball hit Bullis on the back of the left leg, and bounced away from Walker at shortstop. The umpire ruled runner interference for the second out of the inning.
That proved to be fortuitous for Williams, who allowed a single to Natalie Murguia that put runners on first and second. But the VU ace got Kylie Liu to ground out routinely to third to end the threat.
Williams allowed a single in both the sixth and seventh innings, but the Sagehens did not threaten any further. She struck out the final two Sagehens to complete the complete game win.
VU collected a run in both the fourth and sixth innings.
In the fourth, the Lions got two runners aboard via a walk to Bianca Morales and a Carli Row single. Williams fouled out for the second out, but Morales tagged up and moved to third on the play. Mackenzie Hofmann delivered a game-winning RBI single to left for VU's first run.
Row stroked an opposite field double with one out in the sixth. Williams lofted a blooper down the right field line in the next at-bat, as pinch runner Andrea Connor scored easily.
Erika Rivera took the loss in relief for the Sagehens. She tossed 4.1 innings, allowing six hits and both Lion runs.
Game 2 – Vanguard 5, Pomona-Pitzer 1
Vanguard struck early against Sagehen starter Nyla Springer, building a 4-0 lead after two innings.
In the first, the Lions got Farley into scoring position after a leadoff single and a Walker sac bunt. With two outs, Noni Chaves laced an RBI single to right that plated Farley.
VU used a similar formula that led to three more runs in the second. Gaby Ramirez had a leadoff single and Adrianna Natividad sacrificed her to second. Megan Ireland followed with a single, and advanced to second when the throw home kept Ramirez at third.
Farley's RBI groundout to second scored Ramirez to give the Lions a 2-0 lead. Walker followed with a single to center that allowed Ireland to race home with VU's third run.
The Sagehens replaced Springer with Madison Hadley in the circle, and Walker stole second to get into scoring position. That proved beneficial as Morales hit a base knock into center to score the speedy shortstop.
Mia Portillo got the start for the Lions, and allowed just one run in 4.0 innings of work. She scattered five hits while walking one and striking out two to pick up her first win of the season. Portillo allowed a pair of second inning singles, but stranded both runners.
In the third, Pomona-Pitzer scored its only run of the doubleheader. Portillo allowed a leadoff double to Liu, who moved to third on a wild pitch. After a walk to Summer Gibson, Portillo struck out Bullis. Waddell followed with an RBI grounder to short, allowing Liu to score on the play.
Portillo put up her third zero in four innings thanks to a heads up play by Chaves in center field. After Carreon led off the fourth with a one-out single, Hadley hit a shallow fly ball to center that Chaves corralled. She then caught Carreon going too far off the first base bag, and nailed her with a sharp throw for the double play.
Sophomore Mari Ipatzi was brilliant in relief, retiring nine of the 10 hitters she faced. The only runner who reached got on via a one-out error in the sixth. The southpaw did not allow a hit or walk while striking out two, and she earned her first save.
VU collected an insurance run in the seventh as Walker doubled with one out, moved to third on a Hofmann grounder, and came home on a Chaves single.
Why Is It Important?: VU played two solid games after a week hiatus. Weather postponements wiped out doubleheaders the Lions had scheduled earlier in the week against Saint Katherine and Antelope Valley.
What Was Said?: "Today was a great overall team day for us," said Head Coach Sydney Lahners. "Our pitching was phenomenal only giving up one run all day. We defensively made all the routine plays and our offense came alive in game two. We are excited for a week full of games next week!"
What's Next?: The Lions return to action on Thursday, February 15 with a doubleheader against Westcliff at the OC Great Park. First pitch is scheduled for 11:00 a.m.
