COSTA MESA --  In a rescheduled doubleheader against CSU San Bernardino, Vanguard softball broke even with the Coyotes to go to 19-24 on the season, with CSUSB going to 18-18.  The Lions took game one with a 1-0 victory, as Mari Ipatzi and the defense shone.  While the team tried to match the Coyotes in game two, the comeback came up two runs short as San Bernardino collected a 5-3 win.
 
What Happened?  Ipatzi had a clean game in the first contest, as the VU starter had four strikeouts, one walk, and allowed only three hits.  CSUSB left four runners on base in the game, but no Coyotes got beyond second base.  While the Lions were almost equally stumped by Ashley Legler, who gave up three hits and had two Ks, the lone error of the game allowed the Blue and Gold to score.
 
Lilyana Roth doubled to the left-center gap with one out in the fourth, and a sacrifice bunt by Kamryn Walker got her to third.  Kayla Rodriguez was up next, and she chopped a ball toward the CSUSB second baseman.  The ball then took a wild hop away from the defender, but though she made a nice snag, the first baseman dropped the throw, with Rodriguez reaching safely and Roth scoring.  The winning moment for the Blue and Gold was finished off by Ipatzi, who improved to 7-5.  The other hits for Vanguard came from Megan Ireland and Tiffany Pope, who had singles.
 
Game 2
Both squads scored in the first, with CSUSB getting its run off Mia Iacomini via back-to-back doubles.  VU offered a reply in the bottom half, with Ireland getting hit by a pitch.  After being bunted to second by Roth, an infield single by Walker put runners at the corners, and Walker broke for second with Rodriguez at the plate.  Though she was tagged out in the ensuing rundown, Ireland used the diversion to scamper home and tie the contest.
 
Both lineups went down quietly in the second, but the Coyotes flipped into a lead in the third, as a one-out walk was followed by back-to-back doubles to put San Bernardino up 3-1.  An error on a grounder made it 4-1, and that score held steady until the Lions found some fight in the sixth. 
 
ChaCha Miranda took a leadoff walk, and an error on a ground ball hit by Ireland allowed both to reach safely.  The Coyotes got an out, but a bloop single by Walker loaded the bases to bring Rodriguez to the plate.  She lofted a single into left field to bring home Ireland, which brought up Preslee Brower.  She hit a bouncing ball to the CSUSB shortstop, but the throw home was late, and Roth scored to make it 4-3.
 
The Blue and Gold could not push another run home, though, and the Coyotes secured their win in the seventh as a double down the right-field line put the visitors ahead 5-3.
 
The Coyotes had five runs on six hits, two errors, and four runners left on base.  VU had three runs on seven hits, one error, and also left four runners aboard.  Iacomini had one strikeout and dropped to 3-4, while Vanessa Robles returned from injury to throw the final three innings, with her lone punchout coming on the first batter she faced.  Leah Mays had a 2-for-3 day to tie Walker for the team lead.
 
What's Next?  A return to Pacific West Conference play, as VU heads to Biola tomorrow for a noon doubleheader.