PALMDALE, Calif. -- The Vanguard Softball team romped their way to two victories on Friday against the University of Antelope Valley. The Lions outscored the Pioneers 18-2 on the day, with a game one decision of 8-0 and a game two triumph of 10-2. Kamryn Walker had a strong day at the plate, netting four hits in four at-bats and a pair of RBI. The Lions improve to 9-1 overall and drop UAV to 0-4.
What Happened? VU 8 UAV 0
It was almost a perfect game for Vanguard pitching, as Brianna Williams gave up one hit in four innings and Mia Portillo allowed just one walk in her single frame of action. Williams struck out six batters during her time in the circle, and with some quality defense in the field, the VU pitchers had a calm outing in the opening contest of the afternoon.
The offense had the Lions up 4-0 at the end of the first, with Amarah Farley leading the game off with a single. Walker also singled and Noni Chaves made it three knocks in a row, with Farley scoring to put VU up 1-0. Both runners advanced a base on a UAV miscue and Walker would score soon thereafter on a ball to the backstop. Mackenzie Hofmann then rocketed a double to score Chaves and put the advantage up to 3-0. Hofmann would get to third after a ground out and Willams banked in the fourth VU run via a sacrifice fly, as a 4-0 was more than enough for the pitchers in game one.
Still, the lead almost doubled in the top of the second, as the Blue and Gold used five hits to drive in a trio of runs. Marissa Gurrola singled to open the inning and she then stole second. Getting to third on a bunt single by Walker, the duo would score on a driven base hit to right by Chaves, putting the Lions up 6-0. Chaves stole second and a single by Hofmann put runners on the corners. Adriana Portillo then poked a single back up the middle to bring Chaves across the plate and make the score 7-0.
After the offensive explosion for VU over the first two innings, things quieted down, with only three more hits combined between the sides for the rest of the ball game. Two knocks would be by Vanguard and those came in the top of the fourth to put the mercy rule in play. Chaves punched a single through on the right side of the infield and got to second on a wild pitch. Hofmann then bashed her second double of the day to score Chaves, putting the Lions up 8-0. Mia Portillo kept UAV quiet in the bottom of the fifth to give the Lions a quick 8-0 lead.
VU scored eight runs on 11 hits and left five runners on base. UAV had one hit, one walk, left both of those runners on base, and had one error. Williams improves to 5-0 on the season. Chaves and Hofmann each went 3-for-3 and ended tied with two RBI apiece. Walker was 2-for-2 and both Adriana Portillo and Williams each had one RBI.
VU 10 UAV 2
The second game opened with the home side scoring, as VU was kept quiet in the top of the first. The Pioneers tagged a home run off of Vanessa Robles to jump ahead 1-0, though she soon retired the side. The offense then got to work to flip the scoreboard and put Robles in a position to win.
A single by Adriana Portillo started the top of the second and Mia Hernandez took a base on balls. A ground out pushed the runners to second and third and Aeri Corral took another walk to load up the bases. Farley was next to the dish and she blasted a double to center field to cash in all three runners and give the Lions a 3-1 advantage.
Robles quickly put the Pioneers away in the bottom half and in the top of the third, the Lions gave their starter another run on the board. Portillo reached on a fielder's choice and Bianca Morales was hit by a pitch to send Portillo to second. A single by Hernandez brought Portillo around to score to make the lead 4-1.
The Blue and Gold poured on three more tallies in the top of the fourth, with Corral taking a lead-off walk. Farley dropped a bunt and beat the throw to first to put runners on first and second and up to the plate stepped Walker. She belted a double to left to bring both runners home to stretch the lead to 6-1. A single by Chaves capped the scoring in the inning, as Walker touched the plate to make it 7-1.
The Lions added two more runs in the top of the sixth as Megan Ireland reached on an error with one out. Emma Noble came to the plate and her first at-bat of the year produced magic, as she clobbered her second career home run to put the Lions ahead 9-1.
UAV used a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the sixth to make the score 9-2, but the Lions had one more run in them. In the top of the seventh, Hernandez sent a ball over the fence with two outs for a solo shot to put VU up 10-2, and Mia Iacomini finished off the Pioneers in the bottom of the seventh to complete the Vanguard sweep.
The Lions scored 10 runs on 12 hits and left six runners aboard in game two. UAV tallied two runs on six hits, had one error, and left 11 runners on base. Robles goes to 1-0 on the year and had one K in five innings of work. Iacomini threw the final two innings.
Walker again was perfect from the plate, going 2-for-2 with two RBI. Farley and Hernandez each had two hits and Farley led the Lions in game two with three RBI. Hernandez and Noble each had two runs batted in.
What was Said? "We came out swinging today. Any day you can put up over 15 runs is a great day," said Head Coach Sydney Lahners.
What's Next? The Lions will return home and take on the Firebirds of Saint Katherine in the home opener tomorrow at noon.
