COSTA MESA, Calif. – The William Woods University Softball team was swept by Vanguard University on Tuesday afternoon in their first games on its Spring Break trip to California. The Lions defeated the Owls, 2-1 and 8-0.
 
The Owls return to action on Thursday, March 31st when they travel to La Mirada, Calif. to face Biola University. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. CT.
 
Game One
Game Flow
Sydane Hatton led the game by collecting her first of two hits on in the contest. Hannah Campbell advanced her to second base with a sacrifice bunt. However, Hatton was stranded on second base as the next two hitters struck out and flew out ending the inning.
 
Vanguard scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the second inning. With one out, Sierra Jacques hit Kristyn Whitley with a pitch. Whitley advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Amber Huffamn drove in Whitley putting the Lions ahead 1-0.
 
Alexandra Olvera kept the Owls off balance until the top of the fifth inning. Allie Massey singled to right field and Jacques came into run for her. Jacques advanced to second base on a wild pitch. Amanda Bouchey fouled out left field and Jacques advanced to third base. With two outs and a runner on third base, Jacques was left on third base as the next Owl hitter flew out to left field.
 
After allowing the Lions to score one run in the second inning, Jacques kept Vanguard quiet as she allowed eight hits to Vanguard.
 
The Owls tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the sixth inning as Hatton collected her second hit of the contest. Hatton followed with a stolen base. Hatton scored the tying run on an Ari Arnold a sacrifice bunt.
 
Vanguard looked as if they would break the tie in the bottom of the sixth inning Emily Hall singled through the right side. After a sacrifice bunt advanced Hall to second bunt, Hall advanced to third on a wild pitch. With runners on the corners, and one out Jacques settled down and retired the next two Lions and Owls tied at 1-1.
 
After the Owls went down in order in the top of the seventh inning, Britany Heinle drew a walk to start the inning. She advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt and third on a ground out. With two outs and the winning run on third base, Whitley singled through the left side giving the Lions a 2-1 victory over the Owls in game one.  
 
By the Numbers
4 – The Owls collected four hits in game one
3 – WWU had three players collect hits in the contest
2 – Sydnae Hatton led the Owls with two hits in the contest
1 – William Woods scored one run in the contest
1 – Sydnae Hatton stole one base in the contest
 
Starting Pitcher Lines
WWU – Sierra Jacques, 6.2 IP, 8H, 2R (2ER), 6BB's, 0K
Vanguard – Alexandra Olvera, 7 IP, 4H, 1R (1ER), 1BB, 1K
 
Game Two
Game Flow
After a scoreless first inning, the Lions scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the second inning. With two runners on and two outs, Huffman singled to right field scoring two runs taking a 2-0 lead over the Owls.
 
William Woods looked to be answer back in the top of the third inning. Brailee Schulte and Olivia Imhoff singled to lead off the inning. Hatton followed with a bunt single, loading the bases. With no outs, Hannah Campbell lined into a double play and Arnold grounded out ending the inning and the Lions kept the Owls off the scoreboard.
 
The game stayed 2-0 until the bottom of the fifth inning when Vanguard scored four runs in the inning. After the fifth inning, the Lions had stretched its lead to 6-0 over the Owls.
 
The Owls offense continued to struggle as they were retired in order in the top of the sixth inning. Vanguard scored two more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning on Summer Penner sacrifice fly and the game ending run on an Heinle single. The Lions defeated the Owls, 8-0, in six innings,  
 
By the Numbers
6 – The Owls collected six hits in game two
6 – William Woods had six players collect one hit in the game
4 – The Owls walked four Lions in the contest
3 – William Woods hit into three double plays in game two
2 – WWU committed two errors in the contest
 
Starting Pitcher Lines
WWU – Allison Waskow, 4.2 IP, 10H, 6R (6ER), 2BB's, 1K
Vanguard – Taylor Doyle, 6 IP, 6H, 0R (0ER), 0BB, 2K's