Box Score Costa Mesa, CA — Vanguard capitalized on timely hitting and early offensive surges to secure a three-game series sweep over Hawai'i Pacific, highlighted by a narrow Game 1 victory before pulling away in Games 2 and 3.
Game 1: Vanguard 5, Hawai'i Pacific 4
The series opener proved to be the most competitive of the set, as Vanguard held off a late push from Hawai'i Pacific to win 5-4.
Hawai'i Pacific struck first with two runs in the opening inning, sparked by RBI doubles from Taryn Hirano and Jade Retuta. However, Vanguard quickly responded with a four-run bottom half, taking advantage of defensive miscues and aggressive baserunning to flip the momentum.
Kamryn Walker delivered a key two-RBI single in the inning, while Leah Mays added an RBI hit to cap the rally. Vanguard later added what proved to be the game-winning run in the third inning on a steal of home.
Hawai'i Pacific chipped away, scoring single runs in the second and fourth innings, but could not complete the comeback. Felicia Tanno led HPU with a perfect 2-for-2 performance, scoring twice.
Mari Ipatzi earned the complete-game win for Vanguard, allowing four runs on six hits.
Game 2: Vanguard 10, Hawai'i Pacific 0 (5 innings)
Vanguard's offense exploded in Game 2, cruising to a 10-0 run-rule victory.
The Lions jumped out early with three runs in the first inning before breaking the game open with a five-run second. Leah Mays highlighted the inning with a two-RBI triple, while Kayla Rodriguez and Andrea Connor contributed key hits.
Vanguard totaled 10 hits in the game, with multiple players recording multi-hit performances, including Megan Ireland.
Hawai'i Pacific managed six hits but struggled to convert opportunities into runs, leaving five runners on base.
Game 3: Vanguard 9, Hawai'i Pacific 2
In the series finale, Vanguard once again relied on a big inning to pull away, defeating Hawai'i Pacific 9-2.
After taking an early 3-0 lead in the first inning behind a bases-clearing triple from Leah Mays, Vanguard broke the game open in the fifth. Preslee Brower delivered the decisive blow with a grand slam to left field, turning a close contest into a rout.
Hawai'i Pacific showed some offensive life, collecting seven hits. Taryn Hirano led the way with a 3-for-4 performance, including a triple and a run scored, while Miquela Leopoldo drove in a run with a double.
Despite the effort, Vanguard's balanced attack and clutch hitting proved too much. Mari Ipatzi earned her second win of the series, combining with Lauren Cantwell to limit HPU to two runs.
Game 4: Vanguard 9, Hawai'i Pacific 4
Hawai'i Pacific fought back from a two-run deficit to take the lead Tuesday afternoon, but Vanguard's explosive fourth inning proved too much to overcome as the Lions escaped with a 9-4 victory at VU Softball Field.
The Sharks showed plenty of heart in the top of the third, erupting for four runs to flip the script on the home side. Miquela Leopoldo was the catalyst, ripping a two-RBI double to left center, before Makayla Pagampao drove in another with a single through the right side. Danielle Cote added a sacrifice fly to cap the rally, and suddenly HPU held a 4-2 advantage.
Leopoldo finished the day as the Sharks' offensive leader, going 2-for-3 with two RBI, while Taryn Hirano set the table all afternoon from the leadoff spot, notching a hit, a run, and two stolen bases.
The Lions' five-run fourth inning fueled in large part by Shark defensive lapses erased what had been a promising lead.
Angelica Oseguera provided a bright spot in relief, coming on in the fifth and keeping Vanguard off the board until late, finishing with 2.2 innings of solid work.
HPU drops to 4-30 on the season but showed the competitive fight that has defined their year. The Sharks return to action with another opportunity to build on the positive moments from this afternoon's effort.
