COSTA MESA, Calif. – The No. 1-ranked Southern Oregon softball team's lineup ripped 20 hits and its pitching staff limited Vanguard (Calif.) to one earned run in a season-opening sweep, 11-2 in five innings and 5-0 on Friday afternoon at VU Field.

Redshirt-freshman right fielder Kalea Thomas had a four-hit day, scored three runs and stole a pair of bases from the leadoff spot in her debut for the Raiders. In the circle, Ayla Davies went the distance in Game 1 and struck out eight before Lexi Ramirez and Tatiana Blas threw a combined shutout in Game 2.

Vanguard, meeting SOU for the first time since joining the NCAA Division II ranks last season, fell to 3-4.

The Lions committed three errors during SOU's eight-run second inning in the opener, and the Raiders capitalized with six hits in the frame. Thomas and third baseman Brooke Nordahl both went 3-for-3 in the contest, and the latter tripled with two RBIs and two runs scored.

Davies, the reigning NAIA Pitcher of the Year, blanked the Lions through the first three innings before they plated an unearned run in the fourth. She gave up five hits and one walk.

In Game 2, Ramirez went the first 3 2/3 innings and Blas earned the decision by taking the final 3 1/3. Neither walked a batter and they combined to scatter seven hits as the Lions failed to get a runner past second base.

The Raiders scored their first two runs on wild pitches in the third inning, which Avery Coffin capped with her second double of the afternoon to make the score 3-0. Ari Williams later added an RBI double, her third hit of the day.

Vanessa Lang finished the twin bill 3-for-7 with three runs and two stolen bases. Elysia Duarte contributed two hits, got on base four times and scored three runs.

The Raiders have three more doubleheaders over the next three days. They play at 11 a.m. Saturday at No. 21-ranked Hope International (Calif.), whose new head coach is former SOU All-America pitcher Gabby Sandoval.