Lions Tally 33 Hits For A Pair Of GSAC Wins

Recap, photo courtesy of Vanguard

SURPRISE, Ariz. - The Lions posted double digits in two straight games, fueled by a combined 33 total hits, to earn two GSAC victories against the University of Arizona Ottawa. After winning game one 11-3, VU ended the second game early by a score of 13-1. Vanguard is now 15-3 overall and 7-1 in conference.

Game 1: Vanguard 11, Ottawa - Arizona 3
After falling begind 3-0, the Lions used a five run fourth inning to get back into the game. Mia Palomino (JR/Anaheim, CA) started things with a single to left center. Belle Herrera (SO/Riverside, CA) and Morgan Pilbin (SR/Fallbrook, CA) posted two consecutive singles to load the bases and an error on Cassie Balswick (JR/Turlock, CA)'s hit scored one run. Another error and a hit from Samantha Shaffer (SR/Modesto, CA) tallied three more runs for VU. Tatiana Tabizon (JR/Whittier, CA) brought in the fifth run with a single through the left side. In the fifth, the Lions advanced their lead to 9-3 behind four hits. Palomino and Pilbin nabbed singles and Ariana Huffman (JR/San Diego, CA) walked to fill the bases. Balswick and Shaffer each doubled for two RBI and four Lion runs. The Blue and Gold got one more run in the sixth and seventh inning on one RBI from Pilbin and one from Tabizon. Paige Peterson (SO/Riverside, CA) came in from Vanessa Dwyer (JR/Temple City, CA) and got three straight outs from the Spirit  to conclude the game. Dwyer earned the win and is now 8-0.

Game 2: Vanguard 13, Ottawa - Arizona 1
Kolbi Tonini (SR/Reno, NV) kept the Spirit off the board through the fourth, and despite allowing one run, the Lions already established a 6-1 lead. In the top of the sixth, Vanguard added seven runs from seven hits and two errors. Taylor Radtke (SO/Tucson, AZ) knocked a singled and Balswick reached on a fielder's choice. Emily Hall (SR/Lake Forest, CA) bunted for a single, and her and Radtke advanced a base on a pass ball. Lindsey Gilmore (SR/Caruthers, CA) followed with a single, which resulted in two runs for VU on an error. Tabizon doubled for a RBI and Jenah Tittle (SO/Anaheim Hills, CA) reached next on a Spirit mistake. Angelina Lopez (FR/Riverside, CA) kept the inning going with a single and Herrera's homer was good for the final three RBI of the inning. Tonini ended the game early with three outs in the bottom of the sixth. She is now 3-1 on the 2019 campaign.

Next Game: Tuesday, March 12th in a double header beginning at 2 p.m. in Costa Mesa, CA against Lindenwood University Belleville.

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