California Baptist University
Indiana Tech
OPENING NO-NO
2/5/2009 8:00:00 AM | Softball
RIVERSIDE, Calif. ? Melanie Ahumada picked up from an All-GSAC season in the circle last year and continued her dominance to open the 2009 season in throwing four innings of a no-hitter in a 10-0 shutout of Indiana Tech. No. 3 California Baptist University also downed Belhaven, 9-1, in the opening day of the Lancers Invitational.
Ahumada combined with Emma Holden to throw a five-inning no hitter for the Lancers (2-0). Ahumada threw a perfect game through the first four innings of play while striking out seven before handing it over to Holden who threw the final inning.
“I knew we had a perfect game going, but it's still early in the season,” said CBU head coach Mike Smith. “I knew we had some rain coming in and might not have to chance to play tomorrow, so I wanted to get all four pitchers in our games today.”
Ashley Boyd had a big opening game, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Nikki Lowe also went 2-for-3 with an RBI. Nina Cabrales couldn't have asked for a better start, launching a three-run bomb to straight-away center in her first at bat.
“Nina needed something like that today,” said Smith. “She had been struggling offensively during the semester. She made a couple of changes, but we told her to go back with what worked for her. That made all the difference in her confidence. She's going to be a catalyst as we get further along in our season.”
CBU took a 1-0 lead in the first before unloading in the second with eight runs. The Lancers added another insurance run in the fourth to seal it.
In the second game, six different Lancers drove in a run, including Lowe who led the way with two RBIs. The senior hit a solo home run to lead off the third and hit a sacrifice fly in the fifth. Erin Moore was 3-for-4 against the Blazers with an RBI while Sarah Strong went 4-for-4. Nicole Shoemaker, Cabrales, Tina Galinato and Briana Corral all notched an RBI as well.
Freshman Tory Ferreira picked up her first win throwing the first four innings, allowing just one run on three hits and walked just one. Kendall Gorham, a Riverside Poly High product, also saw her debut in the circle throwing the final inning of the day.
As a team CBU hit .463 on the day (25-54) with six doubles and two home runs. Strong led the way going 5-for-7 at the plate with an .857 slugging percentage.
“These girls came out swung the bats today,” said Smith. “They have been itching to play against someone else besides themselves. Our hitters are tired of facing our pitchers and our pitchers are tired of facing our hitters because they hit so well. They were antsy yesterday after batting practice and they were really excited today. I was really happy with everything today. We played almost flawless softball.”
The Lancers as scheduled to play again at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. tomorrow in day two of the Lancers Invite.
