COSTA MESA -- Vanguard softball played a doubleheader against Azusa Pacific Thursday in a preview of what life could be like for the Lions in the Pacific West Conference. The two teams had great pitching performances all afternoon, which resulted in two fast-moving 1-0 games. APU took game one on a home run in the top of the fourth and VU snagged game two via a walk-off single by
Adrianna Natividad. The Lions go to 13-5 on the season and APU goes to 7-5.
What Happened?
After APU went down in order in the first,
Amarah Farley got a triple to open the bottom of the first for VU, but the Lions could not bring her home. Despite the setback,
Brianna Williams kept the APU bats at bay until the top of the fourth when Mia Alvarez sent a ball over the fence in the left-field corner to put the Cougars ahead 1-0.
VU tried to put a rally together in the bottom of the sixth, as
Marissa Gurrola slapped a single just past the APU second baseman. Farley bunted her to second and
Kamryn Walker took a walk, but a ground out and a fly out derailed the opportunity.
Bianca Morales got a one-out single in the bottom of the seventh and got to second on a ground out, but another ground out ended the game, as APU took a 1-0 victory.
APU scored one run on five hits and left two runners on base. The Blue and Gold had four hits and left five runners aboard. Williams fanned three and falls to 6-2 on the season, with Felicia De La Torre improving to 2-2, as the APU starter recorded four Ks.
The second game was another pitcher's duel, as both squads combined for seven hits.
Vanessa Robles went the distance for the Lions and though she only struck out one hitter, the VU starter allowed only one Cougar to reach third base over seven regulation innings. APU used three pitchers during the contest and the trio combined for five Ks.
APU got the first base runner of the contest in the top of the second, but Robles got a lineout and a ground out to retire the side.
Marissa Gurrola drew a walk in the bottom of the second to become the first VU base runner of the twin bill, but she could not advance beyond first. The Cougars got a single in the top of the third and the batter eventaully got to third, but
Gaby Ramirez made an accurate throw to
Mackenzie Hofmann to pick her off to end the danger.
The Blue and Gold threatened to score for the first time in the bottom of the fifth, as both
Lilyana Roth and
Emma Noble picked up singles, but APU worked its way out of the jam. With no players reaching scoring position in either the sixth or seventh innings, the game went to the extra innings.
APU had the first chance to strike with the international tiebreaker rule in play in the top of the eighth, and the Cougars got the runner placed on second over to third. But Robles remained dialed in and retired the next two hitters to end the frame.
The Lions used
Ashley Klopfenstein as a pinch runner on second and with one out, Natividad pinch-hit for Ramirez. Natividad sat on the right pitch and slashed a grounder through the infield just to the left side of second base. Klopfenstein poured on the speed and slid through home well before the throw came in to give the Lions a 1-0 walk-off victory.
VU scored one run on three hits, had one error, and left three runners on base. APU had four hits and five runners left on base. Robles improves to 3-1 and Mia Castillo falls to 1-1.
Why is it Important? This was the first meeting between the two schools since 2021and the Lions now hold a 7-5 mark all-time against the Cougars. APU was picked to finish second in the PacWest, giving Vanguard some optimism heading into the transition to their new home next year.
What's Was Said? "Overall, we played excellent defense and pitched extremely well," said Head Coach
Sydney Lahners. "Both Bri and Vanessa threw great games. We just need to get our offense going! It was great to see AD come in clutch with the game-winning hit in game two."
What's Next? The Lions will attempt to play two games against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps tomorrow, with a noon start, weather permitting.
