SAN MARCOS, Calif. -- The VU softball team returned to the field after a couple of games were pushed back due to weather problems, and the Blue and Gold did not look out of place against Cal State San Marcos on Tuesday. The Cougars, recently voted #1 in the country in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association poll, scored five runs in each game to win 5-1 and 5-3, improving to 14-1, while Vanguard dropped to 6-11.
What Happened? The first game saw both sides go scoreless through the first three frames, as
Vanessa Robles and Jordan Hill kept runs from scoring. Robles successfully navigated batters reaching second base in the first and second innings, though the Cougars used a home run in the bottom of the fourth to leap ahead 2-0.
Megan Ireland had a double in the top of the fourth, and got bunted to third, but no one could bring her home. VU loaded up the bases in the top of the fifth, but was unable to cash in a run again. CSUSM then struck for three runs in the bottom of the sixth, using a walk and four singles to put the edge at 5-0. In the top of the seventh, both
Adriana Portillo and
Kayla Rodriguez poked singles through the defense, and a groundout got the pair to second and third.
Preslee Brower tapped a ball in the infield that allowed Portillo to score, making the final 5-1.
Vanguard had five hits and an error, leaving four on the base paths. The Cougars had nine hits and left six runners aboard. Robles went all six innings and fanned five while walking three in a good outing. Rodriguez led VU with a 2-for-3 game from the plate.
CSUSM 5 VU 3
Summer Stephens got the start for the second contest, but the Cougars snared a home run and a pair of singles to open with a 3-0 advantage. But the Lions replied with three themselves in the top of the third. Ireland commenced the rally with a single, and
Lilyana Roth dropped her own single into center field to put two on.
Tiffany Pope then lashed a double, scoring Ireland, and an error on a grounder by Portillo cut the edge to 3-2.
ChaCha Miranda used a sacrifice fly to bring Pope home, knotting the game at 3-3.
Stephens tried to keep the Cougar bats quiet in the fourth, but an error allowed the hosts to regain the lead at 4-3. In the bottom of the sixth, two wild pitches put CSUSM ahead 5-3, and the Lions could not register a run in the top of the seventh.
The Cougars had five runs on seven hits, one error, and six runners left on base. VU had three runs on six hits, two errors, and five stranded runners. Stephens walked four and was charged for four of the five runs CSUSM tallied. Roth and Miranda each went 2-for-3 from the plate.
What's Next? With the Dominican series moved, Vanguard begins Pacific West Conference action at Azusa Pacific on Saturday at noon.
