COSTA MESA -- Another Pacific West Conference split was earned by Vanguard softball today, though taking a game off the league-leading Golden Eagles of CUI felt like a huge moment for the Lions.  It could have been a sweep for either side, as VU lost game one 5-3 but had a chance to tie or take the lead in the bottom of the seventh.  The Blue and Gold then took the nightcap 2-1, despite CUI loading the bases in the top of the seventh.  VU went to 8-13 overall and 2-2 in PacWest play, while CUI went to 21-9, 11-3.
 
What Happened?  CUI had a double and a single drive in one run in the top of the first to put Vanessa Robles and company down 1-0.  Though Megan Ireland had a double to start the bottom half after facing 12 pitches, VU could not get her home.  Another double and a single put CUI up 2-0 in the top of the third, and though Leah Mays dropped in a bloop double in the home-half of the second, a double play cut VU's chances to frustrate the offense again.
 
However, the bottom of the fourth opened with Kamryn Walker and Lilyana Roth dropping perfect bunts for singles.  The pair got to second and third, and a single by Kayla Rodriguez cashed in Walker to make it 2-1.  Rodriguez then tried to steal second, but CUI walked her back to first.  On the second attempt, the Golden Eagles took the bait and got her in a rundown, allowing Roth to scamper home, with an added bonus that Rodriguez ended up safe at second in the process.  A long fly ball turned into a double play to end the frame, but the score was tied at 2-2.
 
Unfortunately, the Golden Eagles plodded along with four singles to strike for three runs to return to the lead at 5-2 in the top of the fifth.  Walker helped the comeback cause by starting the bottom of the sixth off with a single that she smoked over CUI's first baseman.  Roth bunted her to second and Walker stole third, with a single by Adriana Portillo cashing in Walker.  Mari Ipatzi survived a double in the top of the seventh to give the offense a chance, and the squad set the table after Mays doubled down the left-field line.  Preslee Brower snuck a single through the left side of the infield to put runners at the corners, but the Golden Eagles got the next two batters out to secure the win.
 
CUI scored five runs on 12 hits and left seven runners on the base paths, while VU had three runs on 10 hits and left five runners aboard.  Robles had one strikeout and dropped to 3-6, while Ipatzi went the final two-plus innings.  Walker, Mays, and Brower each had two hits.
 
Game 2
CUI ace Kacie Gossett was bested by the Vanguard bats in the bottom of the first, which was enough for the team to win.  A Walker base knock with one out started the rally, and she got to third after a groundout and a passed ball.  Portillo took a walk, and Rodriguez was hit by a pitch to load up the bases, bringing up Tiffany Pope.  She put a grounder on the deck, but a CUI error let Walker and Portillo to score, putting the home side up 2-0.  ChaCha Miranda then singled up the middle, but CUI threw out Rodriguez to end the threat.
 
Despite that, Mia Iacomini and Ipatzi combined for seven quality innings, despite a couple of scares.  Iacomini went four scoreless innings and stranded five CUI runners over the first two frames, including a bases-loaded jam in the second.  While the Golden Eagles got a double and a single to cut the gap to 2-1 in the fifth, Iacomini had checked the visitors for most of the game, and Ipatzi got the final out in the fifth.  Ipatzi had a clean sixth, and though CUI loaded up the bases in the top of the seventh, Ipatzi got a fly out to retire the side.
 
VU had six hits, an error, and seven runners left on base, while CUI had eight hits, two errors, and 11 runners left on base.  Iacomini improved to 2-0, and Ipatzi had one K while netting her first save of the year.  Both Walker and Mays went 2-for-3 from the plate to pace the Lions.
 
What was Said?  "If you've been watching, a game like this was coming.  The girls have been playing great softball, and we're excited to see how it all progresses," said Head Coach Nicole Thomas. 
 
What's Next?  The Lions head on their spring-break trip to Northern California, beginning with two doubleheaders at Menlo starting Monday.