SAN MARCOS, Calif. -- Before getting to watch the Super Bowl, Vanguard softball traveled to Cal State University San Marcos for a doubleheader. The Lions had four errors in game one that saw the squad fall 6-2, and though the offense responded in game two, VU witnessed the Cougars score six unanswered runs to win 7-6. VU dropped to 1-6 and CSUSM jumped to 10-1.
VU 2 CSUSM 6
The Blue and Gold got the scoring underway in the top of the third, with
Lilyana Roth doubling down the left-field line and
Amarah Farley beating out a ground ball to put two on with no outs.
Kamryn Walker then blasted another double to left field to cash in both runners and put VU in the lead.
Brianna Williams and the defense had shut down the Cougar lineup through two innings but three CSUSM hits and two Vanguard errors gave the home side a 4-2 edge after three. The gap became 5-2 in the bottom of the fifth, as the Cougars got back-to-back singles to start the frame. An error loaded the bases and a flyout scored one runner, though Williams and company aptly kept San Marcos from scoring by getting the next two outs in succession.
Singles by
Marissa Gurrola and
Aeri Corral put two on with one out in the top of the sixth but the Lions could not advance from there. CSUSM pocketed the final run in the bottom of the sixth via a single, a sacrifice bunt, and another single, and San Marcos closed down the shop in the top of the seventh to win 6-2.
The Cougars had six runs, nine hits, one error, and seven runners left on base, while Vanguard recorded two runs, six hits, four errors, and four runners left aboard. Walker went 3-for-3 to pace the lineup and had the only RBI for the squad. Williams dropped to 1-3 and had two strikeouts and no walks on 90 pitches.
VU 6 CSUSM 7
The Cougars struck for one tally in the bottom of the first against
Summer Stephens, as a walk and two stolen bases were followed by a grounder that saw the leadoff CSUSM batter score from third. But the squad got out of the jam and Vanguard slapped six runs on the board in the top of the second to put Stephens ahead comfortably.
Williams took a leadoff walk and Roth used a sacrifice bunt to get her to second.
Adrianna Natividad then reached on a fielding error to put runners at the corners and a Corral single scored Williams to knot the score at 1-1. Farley took a walk to load the bases and Walker accepted a base on balls to keep the train moving and put VU ahead 2-1.
Adriana Portillo provided some pre-Super Bowl fireworks with a triple down the right-field line to clear the bases and catapult Vanguard to a 5-1 edge.
Mia Hernandez was then hit by a pitch and that brought Williams back to the plate. The game one starter helped the game two hurler by punching a single through the left side to put the VU lead at 6-1.
11 batters produced six runs on three hits and one CSUSM error and Stephens quickly retired the Cougars in the second to continue the forward progress. However, San Marcos started to gain traction in the bottom of the third.
The Cougars got four singles and benefited from two wild pitches and a past ball to tally five runs on four hits, with
Mia Iacomini replacing Stephens. She got the final out to end the barrage, but CSUSM was back in the game and they completed their blitz in the bottom of the fourth. A single was followed by a home run to vault the Cougars into a 7-6 lead they would not relinquish.
Kaylee DeMaio got a single in the top of the sixth, but VU had two groundouts in a row to come up just short of the line to gain. Walker gave the Blue and Gold a shot to tie things in the top of the seventh, as she clobbered a leadoff double and got to third on a passed ball. Unfortunately, the Lions could not get her to the plate and fell 7-6.
CSUSM scored seven runs on 11 hits, had two errors, and left seven runners on base. Sixes were wild for VU, as the Lions had six runs, six hits, one error, and six players left on the base paths. Stephens gave up five runs and Iacomini allowed the other two, with the sophomore dropping to 0-1. Portillo went 2-for-4 to pace the lineup and collected three RBI.
What's Next? The Lions head to their second tournament of the season and face five foes at the Stanislaus Tournament of Champions next Friday through Sunday. Vanguard starts with a rematch against SF State on Friday at 9:00 a.m. and then plays Sonoma State at 2:00 p.m.
