STILL IN CONTROL

Wednesday, February 11

Riverside

1 p.m.

California Baptist University

Cal State San Bernardino

4/7/2009 7:00:00 AM | Softball

SAN DIEGO, Calif. ? California Baptist University tried to play spoiler for Point Loma Nazarene's senior day and the final day of play at Sunset Cliffs Natural Park, but the Lancers settled for a split by winning the opener, 5-2, and losing the nightcap, 2-0.

The No. 1-ranked Lancers (41-3, 17-3 GSAC) were out hit 8-6 in the opener, but needed just two innings to score five runs and got behind Tory Ferreira (15-0) who remained undefeated and picked up her second win over the second-ranked Sea Lions (36-5, 16-4 GSAC).

The Lancers took a 3-0 lead in the top of the second after Kendall Gorham lifted a three-run homer to right field that scored both Meagan Silva and Nina Cabrales. Silva singled to right field with one out and Cabrales walked to set up Gorham for her sixth home run of the year.

The Sea Lions got on the board in the bottom of the third when Melissa Gomez singled to bring home Kayla Luttmers who singled in the previous at bat and moved up to second on a wild pitch.

CBU added two more in the sixth to take a 5-1 lead. Nicole Shoemaker led off the inning with a walk and Silva laid down a bunt hoping to move Ashley Lacombe, who came on to run for Shoemaker, up to second, but did one better with a single. Galinato tried the same play and came up with the same result to load the bases with the second consecutive bunt single. Caty Reeves then drew a one-out walk to score Lacombe before Silva scored on a wild pitch.

Luttmers also scored the final run for Point Loma when she crossed the plate on a double to right center by Gomez.

Ferreira went the first 6.1 innings, allowing just two runs on eight hits. She also struck out three before turning it over to Melanie Ahumada who retired the final two batters in order on the way to picking up her second save of the year.

The Lancers had their chances in the nightcap, but the Sea Lions took advantage of roaming around a deep left field to hand CBU its third loss of the year. Tyler Lent allowed just three hits and struck out eight in the win while Emma Holden (9-1) suffered her first loss of the year. Holden allowed just one earned run on five hits and fanned nine batters.

CBU twice had blasts reach the fence in left field, but Point Loma had the time and room to make the grabs. The first one came in the sixth when the reigning GSAC Player of the Week, Sarah Hurlbut, launched a ball to left field that was snagged while the second came in the next inning off the bat of Gorham that ended the game with Silva on third after she tripled with one out.

Despite the split, the Lancers still control their own destiny for a conference record sixth GSAC crown. CBU still holds a one-game advantage over Point Loma and if the Lancers win out they will become the only school in the conference to win six GSAC titles.