03/07/09
Lions Swept Away at Point Loma
San Diego, Calif. – Vanguard University opened the Golden State Athletic Conference softball schedule this afternoon at NAIA second-ranked Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego. The Lions lost a close first game 2-0 before falling 11-1 in game two as the Sea Lions completed the sweep with a six-inning nightcap and a walk-off three-run home run.
VU sophomore Patricia Olvera matched up against PLNU’s Tyler Lent for a pitcher’s duel in game one at Sunset Cliffs Park. Scattering four hits through seven innings, Lent struck out four Lions and relied on the Sea Lion defense to turn a pair of double plays to post a shutout against the Lions.
Olvera (4-3) shut the Sea Lions out for the first three innings before Kayla Luttmers broke the scoreless tie with a solo home run just over the right field fence in the bottom of the fourth. Leading 1-0 in the bottom of the sixth, the Sea Lions added their second run when Luttmers walked to lead off the inning, stole second base, and scored on a two-out single by Jessica Tieszen. Olvera gave up only four hits, struck out two Sea Lions, and walked only one, but suffered her third loss of the season.
Kelsey Gunneman (4-3) started game two on the mound for the Lions, holding the hosts to a pair of singles in the first two innings. However, Luttmers beat out an infield single with two-outs in the bottom of the third inning, stole second base and scored on a bouncing single up the middle by PLNU pitcher Melissa Gomez. The score remained 1-0 until the fifth inning when PLNU began a six-run rally by putting the first two runners on base. Vanguard brought in junior Melissa Forrester to relieve Gunneman, recording the first out of the inning. However, the Lion defense did not make a couple of plays on infield grounders to open the door for a big inning for the Sea Lions. A two-run single by Tieszen sent another call to the VU bullpen and freshman Emilee Reaber took over for Forrester with the Lions trailing 5-0. A single and a VU error plated two more runs before Reaber could exit the fifth-inning jam.
Freshman Libby Archer singled to lead off the top of the sixth for the Lions. Pinch-runner Amanda Omahen was erased on a fielder’s choice by Kasey Klarenbach. Moving to second on a passed ball, Klarenbach scored VU’s only run of the day on a double to left-center by senior Sarah Howe.
Leading 7-0 in the bottom of the sixth inning, the Sea Lions ended the game with a four-run inning, highlighted by a walk-off three-run homer to right-center by Tracy Dean.
Out-hitting the Lions 14-3, the 11-1 game two win improve PLNU’s overall record to 16-1 and GSAC-leading mark to 4-0.
Sophomore Stephanie Leisenring had two of VU’s six hits on the day as the Lions drop to 10-9 overall and 0-2 in GSAC with the sweep.
Vanguard returns to GSAC play on Tuesday when the Lions travel to Irvine to face the Concordia Eagles in another GSAC double header. Game one begins at 2:00 p.m.
Game 1 Boxscore
Game 2 Boxscore