California Baptist University
BYU-Hawaii
Explosive Power
4/23/2014 12:25:00 AM | Softball
RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Twentieth-ranked California Baptist University concluded its regular home season with a bang, outscoring BYU-Hawaii 20-1 Tuesday afternoon. The Lancers first took a 10-1 five inning win and followed with a 10-0 blanking, also in five frames. All but six of the Lancers' runs were scored on two-out rallies.
The wins improve CBU to 39-11 overall and 23-5 in the PacWest, tying the Lancers once more with conference-foe Dixie State in the top spot. The Seasiders drop to 10-24 on the season and 6-22 in PacWest play.
Six of the Lancers starting in the lineup finished the day hitting over .400, led by Jordan Mowatt's 3-for-3 performance at the plate. Savannah Miller and London Miller added fuel to the fire, each knocking four hits on the day. The younger Miller sister, London, ended the day with a 1.500 slugging percentage after blasting two doubles and a grand slam to rake in six RBIs.
BYUH was the first team to score, plating one run in the opening inning of the doubleheader. Without missing a beat, CBU responded in the bottom half of the inning, scoring two runs on four hits. Krista Mann and Savannah Miller each bunted to reach on base with one out. London Miller loaded the bases with a base hit of her own and Jacque Lopez doubled to score the first two before the Seasiders ended the inning.
CBU took its commanding lead in the bottom of the second, scoring eight runs—six of which were with two outs—off six hits and two errors. Rachel Meyer led the inning off with a single to right and was pinch ran for by Heather Smith. Mowatt joined her on base and the pair scored off a Savannah Miller double.
The Seasiders grabbed the second out and looked to get a consecutive third, but a throwing error pulled the first baseman off the bag, allowing Kailey Willingham to safely reach home and score Mann from third. Lopez walked to load the bases and another error scored another run for CBU.
After going through the lineup, Meyer stepped back up to bat and walked in another run. Mowatt racked up two more RBIs with a single to center and Marshean August caught the defense sleeping with a bunt to load the bases once more. Mann singled to left, allowing Meyer to score, but the Seasiders managed to keep the Lancers from getting another by making a play at home to end the inning and cap the scoring for the first game at 10-1.
In the circle, Belinda Renne picked up her 23rd win this year, the most in the PacWest and fourth in NCAA Division II, hurling five strikeouts and surrendering just two hits.
CBU carried momentum over into the nightcap, this time keeping the Seasiders off the board. With Mann and her sister on base, London Miller doubled to right to score Mann and put the Lancers in front 1-0 early.
Just like they had in the first game, the Lancers exploded in the second and added five runs to their tally. With runners on second and third, August laid down another surprise bunt, catching the defense off guard and scoring one runner while reaching first safely. CBU loaded up the bases with two outs and London Miller knocked it out of the park to hold a 6-0 margin after just two innings.
The Lancer defense took down the batters in order in the next frame, heading back to the plate with energy. It didn't take long for CBU to load the bases once again and a failed pickoff attempt scored Nicole Hennessey from third. Savannah Miller rocketed a double deep to center, scoring two more runners and added a run of her own off her sister's double to left, capping the score at 10-0.
Kayla Hatch held on to her third shutout of the year to improve to 16-4.
CBU concludes its final regular season games on the road, heading up north to face Academy of Art on Friday and Holy Names on Saturday.
