California Baptist University
Southern Oregon University
NO HITTING THOMAS
2/23/2008 8:00:00 AM | Softball
RIVERSIDE, Calif. ? On a day that California Baptist's head softball coach, Mike Smith, was expected to grab his 400th career victory, it was the unexpected that made the day even grander. The Lancers (15-1) grabbed win 399 with an 8-0 win over Southern Oregon before Amy Thomas put the proverbial icing on the cake tossing a no-hitter in a 5-0 win over Holy Names.
“While it was really nice to get my 400th career victory, it was even better to get a no-hitter out of Amy for that 400th win,” said CBU head coach Mike Smith. “It couldn't have been scripted any better. I couldn't have come this far without great talent and the help of Bill (Baber, CBU assistant coach) who has been with me for 385 of these wins.”
Thomas (8-1) struck out six of the 21 batters she faced and missed a perfect game by just one walk allowed. It was the fourth career no-hitter for Thomas at CBU and she has also a thrown a one-hitter this year as well.
“Amy just threw a great game and got really good defense behind her,” said Smith. “I know there was a play that Chantal (Millard) made when she came across the middle that could have easily been a hit. Its plays that like that go a long way. Amy deserves all the accolades she has received and this is something that she will remember for a long time.”
Thomas' counterpart, Melanie Ahumada (7-0), picked up the win against Southern Oregon going the complete five-inning game allowing just three hits and a walk while fanning six batters.
In the opener, Nikki Lowe and Sarah Hurlbut both were 1-for-2 with a pair of RBIs. Sara Goforth and Erin Moore were also 1-for-2 with each ripping a triple and an RBI. Millard, Caty Reeves, Karina Slauenwhite and Jessica Foerster all drove in runs as well.
The Lancers scored one in the top of the first on a Lowe single that drove in Goforth from third and added another in the fourth on a sac-fly by Hurlbut. CBU added six in the top of the fifth before Ahumada closed it out to grab the run rule.
In the nightcap, Millard and Moore led the way going 2-for-3. Moore, Hurlbut, Slauenwhite and Briana Corral picked up RBIs.
CBU scored two in the first on a Moore double that drove in Millard and Lowe. The Lancers added three more in the third. After Millard, Lowe and Moore loaded the bases with a pair of walks and a single, Hurlbut drew a walk before Slauenwhite grounded out to the pitcher. Corral then brought home Moore with a sac-fly to left.
After splitting games the opening day of the 2008 season, CBU has reeled off 14 straight wins and will now open Golden State Athletic Conference play with a battle against No. 3 Point Loma Nazarene. CBU defeated the Sea Lions six straight games last year before losing back-to-back games to Point Loma in the 2007 NAIA National Tournament.
