SAN RAFAEL, Calif. – Dominican softball swept the first day of its final series with Vanguard wining 3-1 before a 10-2 victory in six innings at Penguin Field.
Taylor Rodriguez led the Penguins (24-24, 17-15 PacWest) with a win in the circle allowing one run in a complete game of work for a win while added a 3-for-6 day at the plate with a home run and five RBI.
Kate Tobola was also 3-for-6 finishing with a home run, two RBI and four runs scored.
After Rodriguez pitched a clean top of the first on eight pitches, Tobola put Dominican ahead quickly with a lead-off home run to take the 1-0 lead. The Lions (21-32, 14-20 PacWest) looked to answer putting runners at first and third, but
Tiare Guerrero expertly played a steal attempt running one runner back to first before throwing home with
Morgan Heggstrom relaying to third where Tobola applied the tag to end the top of the second.
Heggstrom reached on an error to lead off the bottom of the frame with a sacrifice bunt putting her pinch runner,
Leila Benson, in scoring position.
Karlyne Manuel provided the clutch hit as she doubled down the left-field line to extend the lead to 2-0. Guerrero spoiled another Vanguard scoring chance in the third as she deftly snagged a line drive out of the air, turned and threw to third for the inning-ending double play.
The Lions finally cut into the lead in the top of the fifth as Leah Mays doubled down the left-field line and Tiffany Pope singled up the middle to bring her home making it 2-1.
Kelissa Lee responded in the bottom of the sixth as she went opposite field for a solo shot to push the lead to 3-1. A throwing error and a Mays single gave Vanguard some hope to comeback and tie the game in the seventh but Rodriguez induced a flyout before catching the final batter swinging to move to 6-8 on the year.
Mia Souza left a pair of runners stranded in the top of the first of game two and Tobola walked with
Annabelle Burke singling through the right side to put a pair on for Rodriguez. Rodriguez homered on the first strike she saw sending the ball over the fence in left-center for the 3-0 lead. Vanguard got one back in the top of the second on a sacrifice fly, but Heggstrom doubled and Manuel walked with Tobola driving home the fourth run of the game on a single to left. The Lions' defense tried to get Manuel at third on a groundball but she slid back safely loading the bases with one out.
Annabelle Burke brought one run home on a sacrifice fly and Rodriguez drove home two more on a single up the middle for the 7-1 lead.
Souza stranded runners in both the third and fourth innings, but Vanguard loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the fifth.
Alexis Verduzco entered in relief and limited the damage to a single run working quickly to retire the next three batters in order and preserving a 5-run advantage. Dominican closed out the game in the sixth as
Alexis Abalos led off a hit parade as she singled up the middle, Tobola singled through the left side and Guerrero singled up the middle to force the Lions to turn to their third pitcher of the game. Burke gave the relief pitcher a rude welcome as she singled up the middle to drive home two runs. Rodriguez walked to load the bases once more and an errant throw home in the next at bat allowed Guerrero to score the game-ending run.
Dominican will conclude its 2026 season Saturday with a doubleheader against Vanguard beginning at 11 a.m. PDT at Penguin Field. The Penguins will honor nine seniors before their final home game.
