COSTA MESA – Vanguard softball waited patiently to play its first home games of the 2024 season, and did not waste the opportunity in blanking Saint Katherine, 4-0 and 5-0, on the VU Softball Field Saturday afternoon.
The Lions finished 6-0 for the week and extended their winning streak to 11 games, the program's longest since a 15-game run in 2019.
Junior Brianna Williams and sophomore Mari Ipatzi tossed complete game shutouts to highlight brilliant performances in the circle. The defense played error free ball and the offense scored at least one run in six of the 12 innings at bat.
The Lions have won five of their 11 games so far by shutout.
Williams owns a consecutive scoreless innings streak of 14, and has allowed just one run over her last 32.0 innings pitched. The right-hander whiffed 10 Firebirds to collect her sixth career double-digit strikeout performance. Ipatzi fanned eight – the second-most of her career – and both she and Williams walked just one hitter.
Amarah Farley continues to hit at a torrid pace. The junior outfielder went 4-for-8 with one run scored and three RBI. Senior Bianca Morales combined to go 4-for-5 with two doubles, two runs scored and an RBI. Freshman shortstop Kamryn Walker reached base safely in five of her six plate appearances.
VU's 11-1 start is its best since the 2018 team opened that season 14-0.
What Happened?
Game 1 – Vanguard 4, Saint Katherine 0
Williams recorded at least one strikeout in every inning, including Ashley Waite to end the game.
The Firebirds got the leadoff batter on in the first and second innings – with sac bunts advancing both runners to second – but Williams refused to allow either to score. Saint Katherine's Arianna Salazar singled and stole second with one out in the third, but the Firebirds did not capitalize on the scoring opportunity. Salazar was nailed on an attempted steal of third by VU catcher Gabriela Ramirez.
The five hits Williams allowed were all singles. The Chandler, Ariz. native improved to 6-0 on the season and scored the game-winning run.
Williams drew a one-out walk in the second and scored on a double to center from Morales, providing all the offense the Lions would need.
Adriana Portillo had an RBI single in the third. VU scored for the third straight inning when STK's first baseman committed an error that allowed Ashley Klopfenstein to score for a 3-0 VU lead.
The Lions got one more run in the sixth as Klopfenstein came home on Farley's long double to left center.
Game 2 – Vanguard 5, Saint Katherine 0
Ipatzi pitched a gem as she nearly matched Williams in the stat column. Both pitchers allowed five hits and walked one, while Ipatzi's eight strikeouts came up just two short of Williams.
The Firebirds managed to put one base runner on in six of the seven innings, but Ipatzi struck out a Firebird to end three of those frames.
Only one Saint Katherine player reached third base the entire game, and Ipatzi fanned Ariel Carrillo-Green to end that threat in the fourth.
The Lions scored multiple runs in the second and fourth. Two runs came across in the second as Farley brought home Morales and Lilyana Roth – who had both singled – with a one out double to the left center alley.
Morales just missed a home run and settled for a leadoff double in the fourth. Adrianna Natividad followed with a single as Morales scooted to third. Roth brought home VU's third run with a sac fly.
With two runners in scoring position later in the inning, pinch hitter Megan Ireland delivered a single to left center which plated Natividad and Walker.
An exciting moment in the seventh unfurled as the Farley sisters faced off against one another. Pitcher Anniyah Farley came on in relief for the Firebirds and struck out younger sister Amarah in a family showdown.
VU had a nine-hit offensive attack with featured two hits apiece from Portillo and Morales.
Why Is It Important?: The Lions have outscored their opponents 27-2 over the last four games and have not committed an error over that stretch.
What Was Said?: "Our team has offensively been killing it," said Head Coach Sydney Lahners. "Today was special seeing our pitchers throw two shutouts. Very proud of how consistent our team has been playing! I couldn't ask for a better way to start our season."
What's Next?: The Lions are scheduled to host La Sierra for a noon doubleheader on Monday, but stay tuned for updates as rain is in the forecast.
