Box Score IRVINE, Calif. -- The Golden State Athletic Conference Softball Tournament opened today and the Vanguard Lions were superior to Hope International in the fifth clash of the squads this season.  The Royals were faster out of the gate, going up 2-0, but HIU had one hit after the first inning and the Lions scored three unanswered runs to win 3-2.  The Lions go to 38-11 and HIU falls to 33-14.
 
What Happened?  The matchup featured the GSAC Co-Pitchers of the Year, as Allie Puente and Brianna Williams faced for the third time this season.  HIU tagged Williams for two runs in the top of the first, as the designated visiting team used a walk and a triple to make it 1-0. A two-out double then put the #3 seed ahead 2-0.
 
But with two strikeouts in the frame, Williams got out of the jam and recorded seven more the rest of the game.  Hope picked up two walks and one more hit the rest of the way, but Williams and the defense shut the Royals down after the first inning.

That allowed the Blue and Gold to slowly flip the scoreboard and roll to a lead.  Aeri Corral led off in the bottom of the third and she launched a ball to the fence that turned into a triple, but the HIU right fielder bobbled the ball, allowing Corral to score on the error.
 
Down 2-1, VU leveled the contest in the bottom of the fourth.  Marissa Gurrola singled to center with one out and Mia Hernandez followed two batters later with another base knock to put runners on first and second with two outs.  That brought Ashley Klopfenstein to the plate and she looped a single to center to cash in Gurrola to put the score at 2-2.
 
The Lions took the lead for good in the bottom of the sixth thanks to Corral.  Klopfenstein smacked a two-out single to center and Corral came to the plate next.  She blasted a ball deep to left field and neither HIU outfielder could make the catch.  That brought Klopfenstein all the way around to score, with Corral notching her second triple of the game to put VU up 3-2.
 
While the Lions did have an error in the top of the seventh, Williams and the defense got the final two outs to secure the win and advance to the first semifinal against Jessup.
 
Vanguard scored three runs on eight hits, had two errors, and left seven runners aboard.  HIU had two runs, three hits, two errors, and six runners left on base.  Williams and Puente each had nine Ks, with Williams improving to 18-5.  Hernandez, Klopfenstein, and Corral each went 2-for-3, with Klopfenstein and Corral collecting an RBI each.  Amarah Farley and Gurrola had one hit apiece.
 
Why is it Important?  The Lions beat Hope twice in the tournament last year and start things off with another win against HIU, bringing the season series to 3-2 in favor of Hope.  A win tomorrow against Jessup puts VU in the final with two chances to win one game and the title.
 
What was Said?  "Dropping 2-0 in the first but coming back to win against one of the top pitchers in the country is exactly what our team is capable of doing," said Head Coach Sydney Lahners.  "We showed a lot of fight and resiliency today.  Aeri came in clutch and Bri threw a great game!"
 
What's Next?  The Lions play Jessup tomorrow at noon.