COSTA MESA -- Vanguard softball broke out the brooms on Saturday against the #11 Warriors of Jessup University, winning the Golden State Athletic Conference doubleheader.  The Lions used a big push in the fourth frame to win game one 7-5, with Kamryn Walker netting two home runs.  The Blue and Gold then outdueled the Warriors in game two, with Carli Row driving in the game-winning run to acquire a 3-2 victory.  Vanguard improves to 24-6 overall and 7-1 in GSAC play, dropping JU to 20-4, 4-2.
 
 
What Happened? The Warriors got a leadoff triple in the top of the first and then a double to the left-field fence to surge ahead 1-0, but Brianna Williams then got some help from the defense.  With runners on first and second, a short fly ball was caught by a diving Lilyana Roth in right-center field for the first out.  She then got up and made a throw to second base to double-up JU.  A strikeout retired the side, but Jessup held the lead through two and a half innings.
 
The Lions tried to flip the scoreboard, as the squad loaded up the bases in the bottom of the second, but with two outs, a grounder by Walker hit Ashley Klopfenstein, who was running from second to third, to end the frame.
 
Williams got two outs in the top of the third but a home run by Maddy Ybarra to center field put JU up 2-0.  Katie Blankenheim, one of the top three pitchers in the GSAC, seemed to be rolling.  But things started to slip for her and the Warriors.
 
A leadoff double deep to the center-field fence by Noni Chaves got VU cooking in the bottom of the third and a sacrifice bunt by Adriana Portillo got her to third.  With two gone, Bianca Morales hit a chopper towards third and the JU defender tried to squeeze it, but the ball tipped off her glove and veered away, allowing Chaves to score to cut the gap to 2-1.
 
Jessup parried in the top of the fourth, as with one out, Kylee Winn blasted a shot to right-center field.  The Lions tried to get her out as she slid into third, but a bobble on the catch allowed the Warrior to scamper home to put the JU lead at 3-1.
 
But the Lions hit back hard in the bottom of the fourth with five runs.  Gaby Ramirez started the rally with a bouncing double down the left-field line and though she got thrown out on a fielder's choice going to third, that put Amarah Farley at first.  Up to the plate stepped Walker and she blasted a 1-1 pitch over the fence in right for her first collegiate home run to knot the score at 3-3.  The Jessup shortstop then had a few minutes she would like to forget, as she racked up three errors, that along with a Mia Hernandez single, allowed the Lions to tag on three more runs and snag a 6-3 edge.
 
Jessup did not roll over and the Warriors scored a single run in the top of the fifth and sixth to trim the lead to 6-5.  But VU increased the lead in the bottom of the sixth thanks to Walker.  She led off the frame and bashed a ball down the left-field line.  As the ball bounced deep into the corner, Walker poured on the speed and came all the way around for an inside-the-park home run, her second HR of the day. 
 
Williams did not need any other help offensively, as she set Jessup down in order in the top of the seventh to give the Lions a 7-5 victory. 

Vanguard scored seven runs on seven hits, had two errors, and the squad left eight runners on base.  JU had five runs on eight hits, committed six errors, and left one runner aboard.  Williams had four Ks en route to her 11th win of the season.  Blankenheim falls to 7-2.  Walker and Chaves went 2-for-4 and Walker led VU with three RBI.
 
 
 
Game 2
The Warriors got two home runs off Vanessa Robles to take another lead in the top of the first, as the two solo shots put the visitors ahead 2-0.  But the Vanguard bats sliced one run off the lead immediately, as Farley took a leadoff walk in the bottom of the first.  Getting to third via a stolen base and a ground out, Portillo sent Farley home with a double down the left-field line to make it 2-1.
 
Mari Ipatzi spelled Robles in the circle to start the second and got two Ks in her first inning of work.  She showed her best stuff over the rest of her five innings of action, as she fanned one more batter and did not allow a run.
 
The Blue and Gold matched JU on the scoreboard in the bottom of the second, as Hernandez sent a towering shot to the right-field corner for a double.  She got to third on a sacrifice bunt and Marissa Gurrola plopped down a single in center field to cash her in and tie the game at 2-2.
 
Row got a leadoff single in the bottom of the fourth and got to third on a single by Emma Noble, but a strikeout by JU pitcher Terra Goetz moved proceedings to the top of the fifth.  But that did not dent VU's resolve.
 
Portillo led off in the bottom of the sixth and rocketed a ball under the glove of the JU shortstop. It continued to roll all the way to the left-center fence and Portillo easily slid into third for a triple.  Row brought her home with a sacrifice fly to center field, as the Lions took their first lead of the game at 3-2.
 
A leadoff single for the Warriors in the top of the seventh led to Williams replacing Ipatzi, as the junior tried to collect the save.  She got some immediate help from the defense, as Hernandez made a great throw to Noble to catch the JU runner stealing for the first out.  Williams got a strikeout for out number two, but the next JU hitter got a single.   But the defense was spectacular again, as the next Warrior batter skied a ball into foul territory in left field.  Farley rushed towards the sidewall and made a lunging catch that she completed despite a momentary bobble to secure a 3-2. 
 
Vanguard tallied three runs on seven hits, had two errors, and left four runners on base.  JU had two runs on nine hits while leaving six runners on.  Ipatzi moves to 4-1 on the year, while Williams collected her fourth save.  Portillo and Hernandez each had two hits, with Hernandez going 2-for-2.   
 
 
Why is it Important?  The Lions go to 32-25 against Jessup all-time and this is the first sweep of the Warriors since April 9 of 2021.  VU takes sole possession of first place in the GSAC standings.
 
 
What was Said?  "Today is a good day to be a Lion," said Head Coach Sydney Lahners.  I'm so proud of our team from coming from behind in both games.  Our offense came in clutch and our defense made the plays when we needed it the most.  A great way to bounce back from yesterday."
 
What's Next?  Vanguard will make up a rained-out series against Saint Katherine on the road on Wednesday, March 20, starting at 3:00 p.m.