California Baptist University
Azusa Pacific
From Bombs To Breaks
4/14/2013 12:37:00 AM | Softball
RIVERSIDE, Calif. --- California Baptist University narrowly missed completing a four-game sweep of Azusa Pacific Saturday, falling in extra-innings in the final game after a six-inning rout early.
CBU jumped all over the Cougars in the opener, finishing APU off 10-2 in six innings, but suffered some bad breaks in the late game, falling 6-5.
With seven straight tight wins already under their belt, the Lancers broke out the bats early against the Cougars, scoring in all but one inning of the opener. After APU scored a pair in the top of the first it was all CBU the rest of the way.
The Lancers answered with a run in the bottom half of the first and then took the lead for good with two more in the third. Savannah Miller drove in two of the Lancers' first three runs with singles and was far from done at that point.
CBU led 7-2 heading into the sixth and got RBI from Marshean August, Sloan McHann and Miller to end the game.
Miller went 4 for 4 in the game with three RBI and a run scored. August went 3 for 4 with an RBI and three runs scored.
CBU had 14 hits off three APU pitchers in the early game.
Jessica Avila got the win for the home team, throwing all six innings and giving up six hits and one earned run.
In the late game the Lancers would manage 10 hits and five runs, but it wasn't enough as miscues would sink CBU.
A collision in right-center resulted in a pair of runs and eventually a 5-2 lead for APU in the sixth. The Lancers battled back, though, getting a run back in the bottom half of the frame on a solo shot by McHann and then continued to rally in the seventh.
With the bases loaded and one out, Miller got the Lancers to within one with a single for her fourth RBI of the day. Shawnna Martinez followed with a base hit to left, bringing in the game-tying run, but McHann was thrown out at the plate to keep the score even. The Cougars would get out of the inning on a pop-up.
A lead-off double and then a single to left were all APU needed in the eighth to go up 6-5 and this time CBU didn't have an answer, leaving a runner on first to end the game in the bottom of the eighth.
McHann was 2 for 3 in the late game, hitting a pair of solo-home runs to give her eight on the year. Miller and Jordan Mowatt each went 2 for 4 at the plate.
Rita Kim got the win for APU, throwing seven innings and striking out eight. Narissa Garcia came in to get her second save of the year. Kim is now 8-6.
Avila took the decision in relief, moving her record to 18-10 with the split.
CBU moves to 27-17 overall, 14-14 PacWest and APU moves to 21-18, 10-12 on the season.
