OPENING STATEMENTS

Tuesday, February 2

San Bernardino, CA

1 p.m.

California Baptist University

Cal State San Bernardino

2/3/2010 3:00:00 AM | Softball

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. --- It appears as though it's the same story, just a different year. And for the most part, it's the same cast, save for a few newcomers eager to make their mark. Tuesday afternoon in its season opener, California Baptist University showed that if last year was great, this year could be even better. Even if there are still more than 50 games left.

CBU's national title defense couldn't have started any better as the Lancers rolled to a doubleheader sweep of Inland Empire rival Cal State San Bernardino just hours after the NAIA preseason poll was released and had the Lancers tabbed as the No. 1-ranked team again.

The Lancers won the opener, 3-1, and then cruised to an 11-0 six-inning win in the nightcap.

“Once we shrugged off the opening game jitters, we settled in and played well,” said CBU Head Coach Mike Smith. “We came out swinging in the second game right from the start and that set the tone.”

Kendall Gorham was 5-for-6 with three home runs and five RBIs, freshman Mara Rodriguez hit a grand slam in her debut, and NAIA Pitcher of the Year Tory Ferreira and Emma Holden were dominant in the circle to lead the Lancers to the sweep.

“Emma was Emma and Tory was Tory,” said Smith. “They are a deadly 1-2 combination, and they had it going today. Tory didn't get ahead of hitters, but her off-speed stuff is so frustrating to hitters that they can't figure her out.”

Gorham had two hits in the opener, and her solo shot in the fourth gave the Lancers a 1-0 lead. Tina Galinato hit a one-out single in the fifth and Nina Cabrales followed with a two-run shot to make it 3-0.

Meanwhile, Ferreira, who was a perfect 24-0 last year, picked right up where she left off scattering six hits in the complete game. Her only blemish was a solo home run in the sixth. The Coyotes did load the bases in the bottom of the seventh with two out, getting a double, a hit-by-pitch and a walk, but Ferreira struck out Kat Kolde to end the game, her fourth strikeout of the day.

It was all Lancers in the nightcap.

“We changed the lineup a bit in the second game to give some of our freshman a look and they swung the bat well,” said Smith. “This team is very deep, and that's something we didn't have last year. We can change the look of the game around and our options are endless. We go 15-16 deep, and anyone can start at anytime.”

Holden, who started and won last year's national title game, struck out 10 while allowing just a measly single in the second. She gave up one walk and allowed just one Coyote to reach second base. She struck out the first eight outs of the game.

“Emma was just flat-out dominant with all her pitches,” said Smith.

But before Holden could even get started, the Lancers spotted her a 2-0 lead. Gorham hit a two-run blast down the left field line with two outs in the first. Nicole Shoemaker hit an RBI double, and Sara Hurlbut and Gorham had back-to-back singles in the third to give the Lancers a 4-0 lead.

Gorham hit her third and final homer, a solo shot, in the fifth.

“Kendall struck out in her first at-bat of the day and was a little frustrated,” said Smith. “I told her to be patient, wait for her pitch and when she gets it, drive it. That's exactly what she did. Her last two homers were bombs. The first one got out in a hurry, and the second was high and deep.”

In the sixth, the Lancers powered their way to a six-run frame. The first five batters reached safely as Caty Reeves and Andy Banuelos hit consecutive singles. Megan Silva reached on a fielder's choice before Ashley Boyd hit an RBI double. Sarah Strong delivered a pinch-hit, RBI single, and after Hurlbut popped out and Gorham was intentionally walked, Rodriguez delivered her first collegiate hit with a grand slam.

Gorham and Rodriguez both had four RBIs. Boyd had two hits and two runs.