DEVICH'S REVENGE

Saturday, April 9

Azusa, CA

12:00 PM

California Baptist University

Azusa Pacific

4/10/2011 2:20:00 AM | Softball

AZUSA, Calif. --- No. 1 California Baptist University saw its 31-game win streak halted Saturday, as the Lancers split a doubleheader with No. 24 Azusa Pacific.

CBU won the opener 5-2, before falling 2-1 in a tightly contested final game. It was the Lancers' first conference loss of the season and just their second loss overall as the team moves to 48-2 overall, 11-1 GSAC. Azusa Pacific moves to 20-17, 5-6 on the season.

“We just didn't come to play today and we got beat,” said Head Coach Mike Smith. “Even though we won, the first game was not smooth sailing. Azusa came to play today and they got the better of us in that second one. Taryn Devich pitched great in the second game and kept our hitters off balance.”

After taking the loss in the opener with 3.1 innings pitched, Devich finished the last 3.2 innings of Saturday's finale to get the victory. Devich struck out five Lancers and walked just one, while not giving up a hit.

CBU got to Devich early in the opener, scoring runs in the first two innings to take a 2-1 lead.

The Lancers broke the game open in the fourth inning, when Mara Rodriguez hit a solo-shot and Tina Galinato plated a run with a single. Mariah Worley replaced Devich and the Lancers would score one more run, before Worley got the Cougars out of the inning.

Emma Holden took the win for CBU moving to 24-1 on the season. Holden threw six innings, giving up two hits and striking out eight. Courtney McGee threw the final inning, giving up one run before sealing the win.

CBU fell behind early in the final game of the day as Azusa Pacific scoried a run on a fielder's choice in the first inning.

The Lancers finally answered in the fourth, when Caty Reeves drove in a run on a sacrifice. Devich entered the game soon after and that was all the offense CBU could manage, though.

Brandi Andrews slapped an RBI triple in the bottom of the fourth to knock in what would be the game-winning run.

Tory Ferreira suffered her first loss of the season, moving to 15-1 on the year. Ferreira threw six innings, giving up two hits and two runs.

“There were some adjustments we needed to make that we did not,” said Smith. “The girls tried to do too much without remembering the little things and against a good team you can't do that and expect to win both games. I'm not sure if we were still on an emotional high from our wins against (No. 3) Concordia, but I hope this was a wake up call.”

CBU has four more scheduled dates, before postseason play. The Lancers host Biola Tuesday and then will play their final regular-season home games next Saturday against Hope International. The Lancers finish the season on the road against Vanguard and Concordia.