COSTA MESA – Vanguard and Jessup battled in the rubber game on Saturday to determine the series winner in a softball showdown at the VU Softball Field. The Warriors rode a strong performance in the circle to blank the Lions for the second day in a row, taking the 5-0 victory.

VU fell to 7-12 overall and 3-4 in PacWest play with the loss, while Jessup returns to northern California 9-11 and also 3-4 in the conference.

What Happened?: Bella MacFarlane scattered six hits in earning the complete game shutout. She walked three and struck out two. Her two strikeouts came in the seventh, including one with the bases loaded to end the game.

The Lions also loaded the bases in the first, as a Mia Hernandez single, Jessup fielding error and Amarah Farley base hit spelled danger for MacFarlane. But the right-hander got a ground out to squash the threat.

Sophomore Mia Iacomini took the ball for the Blue and Gold, and retired the Warriors in order in the first. However, Jessup struck for two runs in the second on a Neva Adams RBI double and Aaliyah Pineda sac fly.

Summer Stephens replaced Iacomini to start the third and gave up a walk and single to Rebekah Beasley and Madisyn Leffle. Sarah Giles hit a towering fly ball that landed near the right center field fence, allowing both runners to score for a 4-0 Jessup lead.

Kylie Nunes followed with an RBI double to left to extend the lead to 5-0.

Brianna Williams pitched the remainder of the game for Vanguard, tossing a perfect 4.2 scoreless innings with no walks and five strikeouts.

The Lions finished the game 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position. After posting four hits off MacFarlane through the first two frames, the Jessup hurler did not allow another Lion hit until the seventh.

Iacomini suffered the loss to fall to 2-2. MacFarlane improved to 5-2.

What's Next?: The Lions return to action on Tuesday, March 11 for a doubleheader against Hope International, a makeup from a rainout on February 7. The first game will begin at 1:00 p.m.