Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Cougar softball traveled to Vanguard on Wednesday, and though CSUSM fought valiantly against the #10 team in the nation, the Cougars eventually lost both ends of the double-header 2-0 and 6-5. Game one proved to be a good old fashioned pitchers' duel, with the Cougars' Ashley Salvino going toe- to-toe with Vanguard ace Jennifer Olvera. Both were outstanding, limiting opportunities for the opposing lineup. Nicolette Nassif, Erica Coelho, Kami Williams, and Lise Leibl were the only Cougars to record hits off Olvera, who went the distance in picking up the win and the shutout. For most of the game, Salvino would match her pitch-for-pitch. Vanguard never did figure her out, only tallying three hits off her. But Salvino ran into trouble in the fifth, narrowly escaping a bases-loaded jam. Brenna Sandberg was called in for the sixth, but after allowing a leadoff double, a costly error ended up costing CSUSM, as Vanguard was able to plate the game's only two runs that inning. Both were unearned. CSUSM got the tying run to first in the seventh inning, but Olvera induced a groundout to close out the 2- 0 victory. Game two featured a lot more offense, and a pair of late comebacks. Vanguard jumped out to an early lead off starter Melissa Lerno, tallying four runs in the third inning. The Cougars would get one back in the fourth, with Coelho doubling to lead off the inning and scoring on a Shanti Poston single. In the sixth, the Cougars would take the lead. Coelho once again started the rally, singling to lead off the inning. After a fielder's choice, Lauren Nelson singled, and Melissa Lerno drew a walk to load the bases. Olvera was brought in for Vanguard starter Kelsey Boyer, but wouldn't have the same luck as in game one. A throwing error allowed a pair of runs to score, then Holly Russell got a run home with a fielder's choice, and another error gave CSUSM a 5-4 lead. It unfortunately would not last. Vanguard led off their half of the sixth with a walk and a single, and after sacrificing the runners over, Sarah Howe drove them both home with a base hit, putting Vanguard back on top 6-5. Olvera once again stranded a pair of Cougars in the seventh to close out the win. Despite the losses, CSUSM is still 16-9 on the season - and has certainly proven they can play with a top- 10 team. The Cougars will be in action at the Sun West Tournament on Friday.