Lions open In Region II

The Vanguard University softball team begins postseason competition today for the first time since 1999.

The Lions (39-12) are the No. 3 seed in the four-team Region II Tournament, from which the winner will earn an automatic berth into the 20-team NAIA championships.

Coach Beth Renkoski’s squad, ranked No. 8 in the NAIA, opens against Point Loma Nazarene (36-8) today at 10 a.m. at Forbes Field in the Big League Dreams complex in Mira Loma. Point Loma is ranked No. 3 and seeded No. 2.

Even if the Lions don’t get the automatic bid, they are eligible for as many as eight at-large berths into the NAIA tourney.

Vanguard is led by senior shortstop Rachel Bomgren, the Golden State Athletic Conference Player of the Year, and first-team All-GSAC pitcher Jen Olvera.

Bomgren is hitting .537 with 40 extra-base hits, 22 RBIs and is slugging .745.

Olvera is 18-4 with an 0.73 ERA and 197 strikeouts in 134 1/3 innings.

— Barry Faulkner