California Baptist University
Concordia University (Ore.)
16 K GOLD
2/13/2011 7:00:00 AM | Softball
REDDING, Calif. – A perfect sweep of the final day at the Simpson Tournament in Redding, Calif. by No. 1 California Baptist University was highlighted by a lights out pitching performance in the opener by Emma Holden.
Holden struck out a career-high 16 against No. 4-ranked Concordia (Ore.) to lead the Lancers to a 5-0 victory. CBU went on to cap off the day with a pair of 8-0 victories over College of Idaho and then Northwest Christian (Ore.).
“That might be one of the best games I have ever seen her throw,” said Head Coach Mike Smith, referring to his ace's 16 k day. “She had hitters off balance all game and really made no mistakes.”
Holden, who already has a no-hitter this season, has yet to give up a run in her four starts. She was close to giving up a run after the Lancers had a 4-0 lead in the top of the sixth inning, when, with two outs, she walked a batter and Concordia got an infield single and an error to load the bases. Holden finished the inning with her 14th strikeout to preserve the shutout, though.
CBU got a two-out two-run homer from Sloan McHann to break a scoreless tie in the fourth inning against Concordia. April Vasquez drove in two more runs in the fifth inning with a double.
Vasquez hit her first collegiate homer later in the day against Northwest Christian and went 3-for-7 with five RBI and two runs scored. Her homer was one of seven hit on the day for the Lancers. Lindsay Henry hit her third homer of the tournament in CBU's second game of the day.
The Lancers held a 5-0 lead against College of Idaho and tacked on three more in the seventh inning. CBU scored a five-inning victory over Northwest Christian to cap the day.
Tory Ferreira gave the Lancers another impressive pitching outting, going seven innings against College of Idaho, giving up just two hits and striking out six for the complete game shutout. Kendall Gorham got the win in the finale, throwing five innings, giving up just one hit and striking out nine.
“The girls were focused from start to finish today,” said Smith. “They had great intensity and executed very well. The opener especially almost had the feel of a National Tournament game and our girls responded well.”
CBU moves to 10-0 on the season with the three victories.
