02/21/09
Vanguard Shares Pair With Hawks
Costa Mesa, Calif. – Vanguard University split its fourth nonconference double header of the season today as the Lions beat Holy Names University 6-3 in game one before dropping game two 6-5.
The Hawks scored three runs, two earned, in the first three innings of game one off VU starter Melissa Forrester and the Lions. The Hawks maintained the 3-0 lead until the top of the sixth inning.
Back-to-back hits by freshmen Libby Archer and Amanda Plum to start the sixth inning brought on a pitching change by the Hawks. A sacrifice bunt by Brittany Parlopino moved both runners into scoring position for pinch-hitter Jenna Bergh. Bergh lined a run-scoring single to put the Lions on the board and a Hawk error opened the door for a big inning. Steph Leisenring ripped the biggest hit of the inning, plating two runs with a two-out double and helping the Lions post six runs and take a 6-3 lead.
Forrester held the Hawks scoreless after the third inning until taking a line drive off her glove hand and being relieved by Kelsey Gunneman in the top of the sixth. Gunneman pitched the final 1.2 innings and earned the win in relief for Vanguard.
Freshman Emilee Reaber made her first collegiate start on the mound in game two for the hosts. The Hawks jumped in front with a pair of first-inning runs and placed a four-spot on the board in the second inning for a 6-0 lead. Gunneman relieved Reaber in the top of the fourth inning and held the Hawks scoreless from there.
Vanguard chipped away at the deficit with a run in the bottom of the second inning on an RBI-single by Jenna Bergh. The Lions added three runs in the third inning, using a few hits and a pair of HNU errors. The Lions final run crossed the plate in the bottom of the fourth with Sarah Howe singling home Amanda Omahen from third base.
However, the Lions would come only as close as 6-5 as they stranded runners in the fifth and sixth against HNU’s Stephani Farclough, who pitched the complete-game win.
The Lions, 5-4 overall, continue the season next week up in northern California, playing on the road for the first time this season.
Game 1 Boxscore
Game 2 Boxscore