Monday, May 23
Gulf Shores, AL
8:00 AM
California Baptist University
1
vs
0
Oklahoma City University
REDEMPTION
5/24/2011 1:18:00 AM | Softball
GULF SHORES, Ala. --- Today No. 1 California Baptist University settled all of its outstanding debts for payback in one fell swoop.
With double elimination bracket play opening up at the NAIA National Tournament, the Lancers opened with the team that knocked them out of the championship last season, in Oklahoma City, and then finished the day by facing Cal State San Marcos, the team that handed the Lancers their first loss of the season.
CBU took care of both squads Monday, with a pair of extremely dramatic victories, defeating Oklahoma City 1-0 and then downing the Cougars 3-2 with a walk-off home run in extra innings by Sloan McHann.
“Emma Holden pitched a dandy of a ball game in that opener and then Kendall Gorham clutched up for us with a big home run,” said Head Coach Mike Smith. “Those are two players that know what it takes to win a championship. Sloan in that late game was huge. That was one I knew was gone as soon as it left the bat.”
It was the same game in the 2010 tournament to open bracket play, when the Lancers were on the losing end of a 1-0 ball game against Oklahoma City. In that game Lily Lavelle outdueled Tory Ferreira as both pitchers threw complete games. Monday it was Holden's turn to outduel the Stars' ace, throwing a seven inning, one-hit shutout. It was Holden's third win of the tournament.
Lavelle, just like Ferreira in 2010, also threw a complete game, giving up just four hits and one run.
One of the four hits was a big one though, off of the bat of Gorham in the second inning. Gorham led-off the second with a solo shot to deep center field, giving Holden all the run support she needed for the victory.
The Stars threatened in the sixth, when Lavelle worked a leadoff walk and was sacrificed over to second by Natalie Timmermans. Holden made a running catch on a soft liner to get the second out of the inning and then fanned the next batter to get out of the jam. She worked a quick three out seventh to end the game. Holden struck out 11 batters in the contest.
“We've really had to scrape to get some of our close wins this season and today was no exception,” said Smith. “This team has a never say die attitude, they are excited to be here and try to win this thing.”
If there were tense moments in the opener, the late game got down right nerve racking as CBU fell behind early 2-1.
The Lancers struck first with a two-out RBI double from Tina Galinato in the second inning, but quickly gave up the lead in the third.
The Cougars answered with two runs on an RBI single and a bases loaded walk. Courtney McGee replaced CBU starter Ferreira with the bases full and just one out in the inning. McGee proceeded to make a beautiful play on ground ball bouncing well above the 5'11” freshman's head and then throw home to get the lead runner. McGee then struck out the next batter to end the threat.
“That's one of those things in the game that can just get looked over, but Courtney getting out of that jam and keeping this game close was the key to us winning,” said Smith. “She did exactly what we asked of her and then Emma came in and just did what she has all tournament.”
McGee threw 2.2 scoreless innings and then Holden dominated the final three, taking the game into extra innings.
After Holden struck out all three batters in the top of the eighth it was Brenna Sandberg's turn and McHann was waiting for her. After taking a first pitch ball, she blasted the next offering from Sandberg straight into the wind and out to center field.
“I felt like I was on (Sandberg) all game so I had some confidence going up against her,” said McHann, who was mobbed by teammates and coaches in a wild celebration at home plate. “I knew it was gone as soon as I hit it. It felt great to be able to do that especially after a tough first game at the plate for me.”
McHann was 2-for-4 against Sandberg in the late game after opening the day 0-for-2. Galinato was also 2-for-4 against the Cougars following a hitless opener. In both games combined Gorham was 2-for-5 with one RBI and run scored.
Holden picked up her second win of the day as the pitcher of record when McHann's heroics occurred, moving her to 34-1 on the season and 4-0 at the national tournament. She now has 24 innings pitched and has given up just two hits and no runs.
CBU moves on in bracket play to face Oregon Tech, Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. The Owls defeated Bellhaven, 4-2, and Lubbock, 7-1, today, to move on to the semifinals in the winners' bracket.
If the Lancers win they move on to the championship series Wednesday. The loser will play again tomorrow at 5:30 p.m.
CBU is now 64-3, matching last year's program record for wins.
With double elimination bracket play opening up at the NAIA National Tournament, the Lancers opened with the team that knocked them out of the championship last season, in Oklahoma City, and then finished the day by facing Cal State San Marcos, the team that handed the Lancers their first loss of the season.
CBU took care of both squads Monday, with a pair of extremely dramatic victories, defeating Oklahoma City 1-0 and then downing the Cougars 3-2 with a walk-off home run in extra innings by Sloan McHann.
“Emma Holden pitched a dandy of a ball game in that opener and then Kendall Gorham clutched up for us with a big home run,” said Head Coach Mike Smith. “Those are two players that know what it takes to win a championship. Sloan in that late game was huge. That was one I knew was gone as soon as it left the bat.”
It was the same game in the 2010 tournament to open bracket play, when the Lancers were on the losing end of a 1-0 ball game against Oklahoma City. In that game Lily Lavelle outdueled Tory Ferreira as both pitchers threw complete games. Monday it was Holden's turn to outduel the Stars' ace, throwing a seven inning, one-hit shutout. It was Holden's third win of the tournament.
Lavelle, just like Ferreira in 2010, also threw a complete game, giving up just four hits and one run.
One of the four hits was a big one though, off of the bat of Gorham in the second inning. Gorham led-off the second with a solo shot to deep center field, giving Holden all the run support she needed for the victory.
The Stars threatened in the sixth, when Lavelle worked a leadoff walk and was sacrificed over to second by Natalie Timmermans. Holden made a running catch on a soft liner to get the second out of the inning and then fanned the next batter to get out of the jam. She worked a quick three out seventh to end the game. Holden struck out 11 batters in the contest.
“We've really had to scrape to get some of our close wins this season and today was no exception,” said Smith. “This team has a never say die attitude, they are excited to be here and try to win this thing.”
If there were tense moments in the opener, the late game got down right nerve racking as CBU fell behind early 2-1.
The Lancers struck first with a two-out RBI double from Tina Galinato in the second inning, but quickly gave up the lead in the third.
The Cougars answered with two runs on an RBI single and a bases loaded walk. Courtney McGee replaced CBU starter Ferreira with the bases full and just one out in the inning. McGee proceeded to make a beautiful play on ground ball bouncing well above the 5'11” freshman's head and then throw home to get the lead runner. McGee then struck out the next batter to end the threat.
“That's one of those things in the game that can just get looked over, but Courtney getting out of that jam and keeping this game close was the key to us winning,” said Smith. “She did exactly what we asked of her and then Emma came in and just did what she has all tournament.”
McGee threw 2.2 scoreless innings and then Holden dominated the final three, taking the game into extra innings.
After Holden struck out all three batters in the top of the eighth it was Brenna Sandberg's turn and McHann was waiting for her. After taking a first pitch ball, she blasted the next offering from Sandberg straight into the wind and out to center field.
“I felt like I was on (Sandberg) all game so I had some confidence going up against her,” said McHann, who was mobbed by teammates and coaches in a wild celebration at home plate. “I knew it was gone as soon as I hit it. It felt great to be able to do that especially after a tough first game at the plate for me.”
McHann was 2-for-4 against Sandberg in the late game after opening the day 0-for-2. Galinato was also 2-for-4 against the Cougars following a hitless opener. In both games combined Gorham was 2-for-5 with one RBI and run scored.
Holden picked up her second win of the day as the pitcher of record when McHann's heroics occurred, moving her to 34-1 on the season and 4-0 at the national tournament. She now has 24 innings pitched and has given up just two hits and no runs.
CBU moves on in bracket play to face Oregon Tech, Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. The Owls defeated Bellhaven, 4-2, and Lubbock, 7-1, today, to move on to the semifinals in the winners' bracket.
If the Lancers win they move on to the championship series Wednesday. The loser will play again tomorrow at 5:30 p.m.
CBU is now 64-3, matching last year's program record for wins.
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