California Baptist University
Point Loma
ONE FOR THE ROAD
5/8/2008 7:00:00 AM | Softball
RIVERSIDE, Calif. ? California Baptist was crowned the NAIA Region II Tournament champions for the last time after a 5-1 win over No. 2 Point Loma Nazarene. With the national tournament participants being decided by conference winners and at large selections next year, the Lancers (54-6) couldn't have asked for a better way to close out regional tournament play by winning their fourth straight Region II title.
Clutch hitting from veterans and a near perfect outing from a sophomore hurler made for a grand end to the home season for California Baptist. A solo home run by Sarah Hurlbut in the fifth and back-to-back doubles in the sixth from Chantal Millard and Nikki Lowe vaulted California Baptist past a Sea Lions team that had just shutout the Lancers the day before.
“That's the type of offense you want from veterans,” said CBU head coach Mike Smith. “That's what you need from those people. In big games your big time players step up and that's exactly what happened today. Our girls did exactly what we asked of them today.”
Melanie Ahumada (26-2) tossed a complete game, allowing just one run on five hits. It was the second win for Ahumada over the Sea Lions this season. The sophomore transfer from Mt. SAC exacted a little revenge after falling to Point Loma in San Diego.
“What a time to step up for Mel,” said Smith. “That was big time pitching today. I am so proud of how she came out and battled and her defense came out and made plays for her. She's had a great year already, but what a way to close it out heading into the national tournament. We knew we had to go with Mel today and when it was close in the fourth and fifth, Candice (Thomas) told me to just stay with her and let her close it out and get her ready for the national tournament.”
California Baptist jumped on the board in the bottom of the first when Sara Goforth scored on one of three Point Loma errors.
The Sea Lions answered in the top of the second on back-to-back hits, but that was the only run and consecutive hits allowed by Ahumada.
Hurlbut put the game in the Lancers' hands for good in the fifth with a two-out solo shot over the left center field wall that gave CBU a 2-1 lead. Millard then gave the Lancers a 4-1 lead with a two-run double to right center that scored Courtney Weber and Kelly Maconachy just before Lowe ripped a double that scored Millard.
“Sarah's home run was huge and then we capitalized from that point on,” said Smith. “We've been really good on capitalizing on errors this year. These girls just find a way to win. What a game to take into the national tournament.”
The Lancers will make their fifth straight trip to the national tournament after finishing third last year and were the runners-up in 2005 and 2006. California Baptist will enter the tournament as the top seed after being ranked No. 1 for the last six weeks in the NAIA Top 25 Poll.
