Softball: Vanguard splits a pair

PENSACOLA, Florida - The Vanguard University softball split its

first two games of the University of West Florida’s Spring Fling

Tournament, falling to Eureka, 4-3, before defeating North Dakota State,

3-2, in eight innings Thursday.

Val Vanaken had a hot bat for the Lions, going 3 for 3 with an RBI and a

run scored in the loss to Eureka, before driving in Stacy Caggiano with

the game-winning run against North Dakota State.

After N.D. State took the lead in the top of the eighth inning, Caggiano

lined a triple to right-center field, scoring Nikki Benning.

Caggiano was 3 for 4 for the second game, while Gina Liebengood improved

her record to 12-3 for the Lions (15-12).

The Lions will take on Kansas’ Washburn College and Park College of

Missouri beginning at 7 a.m. local time.

UNIVERSITY OF WEST FLORIDA TOURNAMENT

Pool Play

Eureka (Ill.) 4, Vanguard 3

Vanguard 100 110 0 - 3 9 4

Eureka 040 000 x - 4 2 4

Camarillo, Atchley (2) and Devey; Baxter, Malvanez (6) and Payne. W -

Baxter. L - Camarillo, 0-1. 2B - Vanaken (VU), Neuman (E).

Game two

Vanguard 3, North Dakota State 2

North Dakota State 100 000 01 - 2 6 0

Vanguard 000 010 02 - 3 8 0

Fromm and Rheins; Liebengood and Devey. W - Liebengood, 12-3; L - Fromm.

3B - Caggiano.