02/18/09

Lions Salvage Game Two of Twinbill With Simpson

Klarenbach on base again

Leisenring doubled in game two

Costa Mesa, Calif. – The sun finally came out in Costa Mesa today, welcoming the Simpson University Red Hawks for a nonconference softball double header with the Vanguard Lions. Simpson came from behind in game one, scoring four runs in the top of the seventh to score a 4-3 victory over Vanguard. The Lions came back in game two for a 7-2 decision and the split.

The Lions scored a single run in the bottom of the first inning when freshman Libby Archer singled home Kasey Klarenbach, who had doubled to lead off the inning. Vanguard loaded the bases with only one out, but stranded all three runners with two infield grounders to end the threat. The Lions added an unearned run in the fourth, and another run in the fifth for the 3-0 lead. Junior Jenna Bergh knocked a pinch-hit single to score Archer for VU’s third and final run.

Sophomore Patty Olvera had a two-hit shutout going on the mound for the Lions through five innings of play. However, Olvera narrowly escaped a sixth-inning jam as she walked two hitters before getting the last two outs of the inning. Two more walks and a single loaded the bases for the Red Hawks in the top of the seventh. A one-out, bases-clearing double by Stefania Singh tied the game and brought a pitching change for the Lions. Freshman Emilee Reaber took over in the circle, but the Vanguard defense was unable to complete the third out on an infield grounder, bringing up Paige Gomez. Gomez singled to score Singh for the eventual game-winning run.

The Lions had a runner on first in the bottom of the seventh, but the Red Hawks pulled off a game-ending double play to seal the 4-3 win.

Vanguard jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning in game two. Angela St. Croix ripped a two-run double, driving in Klarenbach and April Glenn. Sophomore Amanda Young singled home St. Croix for the first-inning three-spot on VU’s side of the scoreboard.

Back-to-back singles by freshmen Amanda Plum and Amanda Omahen set the table for a second-inning run with Klarenbach picking up the RBI on Plum’s run. Leading 4-0 entering the bottom of the fifth inning, the hosts added another run when Young picked up her second RBI of the game.

Vanguard’s final runs came in the bottom of the sixth when Glenn smashed her first career homerun, plating Klarenbach on the play.

Kelsey Gunneman pitched a complete-game for her first win of the season for the Lions, scattering six hits and a pair of runs in a very solid outing.

The Lions are back in action on Saturday, hosting Holy Names University for a nonconference double header beginning at 12:00 p.m.