READY, SET...DONE!

Wednesday, May 5

Riverside

4 p.m.

California Baptist University

Biola University (Calif.)

5/6/2010 2:00:00 AM | Softball

RIVERSIDE, Calif. --- As soon as Ashley Boyd drove the first pitch she saw over the left field wall it looked to be over and not too long afterwards it was as No. 1 California Baptist University defeated Biola 13-1 in five innings. Boyd's homer was the 97th of the season by the team, setting a new NAIA single-season record.

The Lancers took game two of the GSAC Tournament semifinal series in dominating fashion sweeping the Eagles and moving on to face Point Loma Nazarene in the Championship Series. CBU and PLNU begin the best-of-three series tomorrow at 4 p.m. and game two is scheduled for 6 p.m.

The Eagles' season ends with a 20-25 record while the Lancers move to 56-2.

“I'm happy once again with the way we swung the bats out there,” said Head Coach Mike Smith. “It wasn't just Boyd who had a big day, but Sarah Strong had a big homer, Sarah Hurlbut got four RBI on the day. We are really seeing the ball well at the plate.”

Top-ranked CBU scored early and often after Boyd's solo shot in the first inning, jumping out to an 8-1 lead after two.

“I knew she was going to try and throw it inside on that first pitch and I just backed up off the plate, saw the ball and took it out,” said Boyd. “I have always hit her (Lyndsie Roberts) pretty well so I was eager to face her coming into this game.”

Strong also went deep, hitting a three-run shot to left-center in the second inning. Following Strong's home run Kendall Gorham had an RBI single to make it 5-1 in favor of the Lancers. Roberts was lifted from the game when she loaded the bases with only one out in the second and was replaced by Kristen Larson. Even a pitching change couldn't slow the Lancer offense, though, as they would add three more runs in the second.

“We were pumped up coming into today,” said Strong. “We wanted to go out there, clinch and get one step closer to a GSAC Tournament title and nationals. We are ready for Point Loma and can't wait to get that series started.”

For the second straight night a dominating performance in the circle was overshadowed by the CBU bats as Tory Ferreira picked up her 19th win of the season, throwing four strong innings, giving up only one run on three hits and one walk.

“A lot is going to be said about the offense today, but Tory's pitching was great,” said Smith. “She only gave up the one run. Other than that, she had control all game long.”

CBU tacked on another run in the third when Boyd hit her second solo home run of the day. She now has 20 homers tying Gorham for the team lead. It is the first time in program history the Lancers have had two players with 20 home runs.

After four more CBU runs in the fourth, Melanie Ahumada replaced Ferreira iand finished the game by striking out one and inducing two fly outs to advance the Lancers on to the GSAC Championship Series.

The Lancers are 4-0 this season against the Sea Lions sweeping PLNU in the two teams' last meeting to clinch the regular-season GSAC title. CBU has outscored the Sea Lions 21-3 thus far this year.