Late rally eliminates Vanguard

DECATUR, Ala. — Vanguard University junior Jennifer Olvera belted a three-run home run to put the Lions on top, 4-3, over Simon Fraser University in the sixth inning of a crucial pool-play finale for both teams Saturday at the NAIA Championship softball tournament at the Wilson Morgan Softball Complex.

But Simon Fraser, of British Columbia, Canada, rallied for two runs in the bottom of the seventh to post a 5-4 win that ended Vanguard’s season.

Had Vanguard won, it would have posted the second-best record among five teams in Pool B, and advanced to the eight-team, double-elimination tournament that begins Monday.

But with the loss, it was Simon Fraser that advanced, along with Oklahoma City, from Pool B.

Vanguard defeated Columbia College of Missouri, 2-0, earlier Sunday to improve to 2-1 in pool play.

Against Columbia, Kelsey Boyer threw a complete-game three-hitter to stifle the designated visitors. Boyer, a freshman, struck out six, did not walk a batter and allowed only two runners to reach second base.

Vanguard opened the scoring in the first inning against Columbia when senior leadoff hitter Rachel Bomgren walked, advanced to second on freshman Sarah Howe’s sacrifice bunt, stole third and came home on Olvera’s RBI single.

Bomgren doubled to open the third, stole third and scored on an infield error. Bomgren, the Golden State Athletic Conference Player of the Year, was two for two, while senior catcher Jennifer Rynda was two for three to account for most of the Lions’ seven hits.

Against Simon Fraser, Vanguard fell behind, 3-0, as the Clan knocked out starting pitcher Olvera in the second inning with a three-run outburst.

Vanguard, the designated visitor, got on the scoreboard in the third inning when Bomgren singled with one out, stole second and, one out later, scored on Howe’s single to shallow right field.

Vanguard took the lead in the sixth when freshman April Glenn was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and advanced to second on Howe’s infield single to shortstop.

Olvera then produced her fourth homer of the season to briefly put the Lions on top.

In the Simon Fraser seventh, Melanie Matthews led off with a double and stole third. Erin McLean was hit by a pitch, prompting Vanguard Coach Beth Renkoski to bring Boyer on in relief of freshman Melissa Forrester.

Boyer walked the first hitter she faced to load the bases, then Rebecca Hartley singled to right to drive in two runs and eliminate the Lions.

Howe was two for three and Bomgren was two for four against Simon Fraser.

Vanguard, making its first appearance at the NAIA Championship tournament since 1999, finished 41-16.

— From staff reports

NAIA ChampionshipPool play

Simon Fraser 5, Vanguard 4

(eight innings)

Score by Innings

VU 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 - 4 8 0

SF 0 3 0 0 0 0 2 - 5 10 2

Olvera, Forrester (2), Boyer (7) and Rynda; Schreyer, Cicchetti (6), Schreyer (6) and Hartley. W -- Schreyer, 16-2. L -- Forrester. 2B -- McLean (SF), Matthews (SF), Moire (SF). HR -- Barr (SF), Olvera (VU).

Pool play

Vanguard 2, Columbia 0

Score by Innings

CC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 3 3

VU 1 0 1 0 0 0 x - 2 7 1

McMahon and Stowe; Boyer and Rynda. W -- Boyer, 11-3. L -- McMahon, 17-11. 2B -- Bomgren (VU).