KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Kamryn Walker and Adriana Portillo drove in three runs apiece and Brianna Williams hurled a complete game as Vanguard earned an 8-2 win over top-seeded Oregon Tech in the semifinal round of the NAIA Softball Championship Opening Round on Wednesday at Stilwell Stadium.
The Lions won their ninth straight game while improving to 42-11 overall. The 42 wins are the eighth-most in VU single-season history. Oregon Tech fell to 44-10 and lost just its third game at home all season.
The Lions jumped out to a 6-0 lead, notching six hits and six runs on OIT starter Kacie Schmidt. Schmidt lasted just 1.1 innings as the Lions scored twice in the first and four more times in the second.
Golden State Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year Kamryn Walker delivered the big blow, a three-run shot over the center field fence that gave the Lions the six run cushion and chased Schmidt from the game in the second inning.
Portillo had a career-high three RBI via a run-scoring groundout and a two-run single that provided the Lions insurance runs in the seventh.
Aeri Corral finished 3-for-3 – the three hits a career-high for the junior outfielder – and Noni Chaves went 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored.
In collecting her 22nd win of the season, Williams scattered eight hits and did not walk a batter, holding the Lady Owl offense mostly in check. The lone blemish was a two-run home run by Addison Kachnik in the fourth inning. Williams, who needed only one strikeout to record her 25th complete game, allowed her defense to play effectively as the Lions recorded 14 fly ball outs.
What Happened?
Amarah Farley drew a walk to start the game and moved to second on Walker's sac bunt. Chaves advanced Farley to third on a single and moved to second on the throw from the outfield. Portillo drove in Farley on a ground out to second, and Chaves came home on Marissa Gurrola's base hit through the left side.
The Lions extended their lead to 6-0 in the second as Mia Hernandez led off with a single and advanced to second on an Ashley Klopfenstein sac bunt. Corral's triple to right scored Hernandez for the 3-0 VU lead. Farley followed with a dribbler down the third base line and legged out the infield single.
With two runners aboard, Walker hit a line drive shot to the furthest part of the park, clearing the center field fence for her fourth home run of the season. The Owls removed Schmidt in favor of McKenzie Staub, who pitched effectively as she retired 14 of the next 15 Lion hitters.
"I think our energy and working together as a team is what got us to win this game today," said Walker. "We also were able to make some routine plays."
Williams retired the first five OIT batters before allowing consecutive singles to Staub and Kachnik with two outs in the second. Klopfenstein made a slick backhanded throw on Marla Goodspeed's grounder to second, as Walker beat Kachnik to the bag by a step.
The Owls put two more runners aboard in the third – again with two outs – but Portillo corralled Lexi Klum's hard liner to third to end the inning.
OIT scored twice in the fourth on Kachnik's homer to left center, scoring Staub who had singled with one out. Williams buckled down from there as she set down the next 10 OIT hitters.
VU put up a pair of insurance runs in the seventh. Singles from Corral and Chaves put runners at the corners, a wild pitch scooted Chaves to second, and Portillo's base knock up the middle upped VU's lead to 8-2.
Williams allowed a Nita Cook infield single with two outs in the seventh, but got Kaila Mick to ground out to finish the game.
Why Is It Important?: The Lions have won 13 of their last 14 games, and have allowed two runs or less 11 times during that stretch.
What Was Said?
Head Coach Sydney Lahners
(On the nine-game win streak): "We're meshing really well right now. Our girls know that we're more than capable of making it to Georgia, and I think they can taste it now at this point."
(On Walker's three-run homer): "It's huge. I think they (Oregon Tech) were a little bit stunned, and that just sets the tone from inning one to inning two. It also allows Bri to get out there and throw a little bit more free, knowing that she has a six run cushion behind her."
What's Next?: The Lions advance to the championship game of the tournament on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. They await either St. Thomas or Oregon Tech, who play a 6:00 p.m. elimination game this evening. VU advances to the College World Series with a win. A second championship game will follow 45 minutes after the conclusion of the first if St. Thomas or OIT wins the first.
