The OUAZ softball team found themselves in the win column against a ranked team for the second time this season when they defeated (12)Hope International on Friday. The Spirit had the opportunity to do the same on Saturday against 7th-ranked Vanguard, and OUAZ did not let the opportunity go by the wayside.

Game 1 – OUAZ 2, (7)Vanguard 0
It was another fantastic outing for Bailey Coronado, who picked up her second complete-game shutout of 2020. She was very efficient, need only 71 pitches to record 21 outs, which included four strikeouts and zero walks.

It was a difficult go offensively for OUAZ in the first five innings, as the team did not get its first hit until the fourth, and mustered only two total prior to the sixth. Andraya Rhinehart singled to start the sixth, and eventually came around to score after Rachel Stockseth reached on an error with two outs.

An insurance run was added in the seventh as the Spirit found its offense a little more. Kelsey Cook singled to lead off the seventh, and Heliana Bueno brought in Cook for the game's only RBI. It was the second conference victory the Spirit have recorded this season when scoring two runs or less.

Game 2 – (7)Vanguard 3, OUAZ 1
After going 2-for-4 in Game 1, Rhinehart stayed hot as she put together a 3-for-3 performance in the finale. Unfortunately, only the top four spots in the lineup recorded a hit for OUAZ, with Rhinehart recording half of her team's six hits.

The Spirit did record the game's first run, as Katelyn Chambers singled home Rhinehart in the third. Vanguard did not wait long to respond as they scored twice in the bottom half to take the lead and never look back. The Lions did add one more in the fourth as Sadi Hartman came around to score after a throwing error by the first baseman on a bunt play from Emily Howard.

Phoebe Popplewell had a decent outing a day after recording her first collegiate win. Despite picking up the losing decision, Popplewell did go five innings, giving up just the three runs without walking a single batter. Alexandra McCutcheon came in to pitch a perfect sixth, recording a groundout, flyout and strikeout.

The Spirit will return to Arizona and play a mid-week showcase in Gilbert starting Tuesday. The Spirit will return to GSAC play on Friday, Mar. 13 when they host San Diego Christian.