California Baptist University
Cal State Monterey Bay
Quite the Effort
5/10/2014 9:26:00 PM | Softball
SEASIDE, Calif. --- Needing to win the first game to keep their postseason run alive, the No. 21-ranked California Baptist University Lancers exploded late in the game to grab a come-from-behind 13-5 victory in six innings over No. 3 Cal State Monterey Bay.
The win forced one final matchup between the two schools, with the winner advancing to the Super West Region Championship game. CBU battled, but came up just short, dropping the second game 2-1 to end the season with a 46-13 record. CSUMB improves to 48-9 and keeps its season alive.
In the first game, CBU surrendered three early runs in the first two innings, but responded in the top of the third to even the game at 3-3.
Ashley DeVaere led off with a solo shot to right center and Rachel Meyer followed with a double deep into left center. With no outs, Jordan Mowatt joined her on base as she took a rogue ball to the elbow.
The Otters grabbed an out, but Heather Smith, running for Meyer, and Mowatt advanced a base to move into scoring position. Krista Mann sent Smith in on a hard hit ball to short to safely reach first. Savannah Miller allowed Mowatt to score the tying run on a fielder's choice.
CSUMB responded in the bottom half of the inning to regain its lead at 5-3, but the Lancers didn't panic.
In the top of fifth with two outs, Savannah Miller walked and was sent home off a double from her sister, putting the game within one at 5-4.
Back defending the field, Mann snagged a line drive and hurled it over to an outstretched Kailey Willingham to complete the double play and end the inning.
CBU came alive in the sixth to score nine runs to take a commanding 13-5 lead. With one out and Rebecca Orozco on first, Mowatt singled to join her on base and Marshean August loaded the bases with a perfectly laid down bunt.
Mann sent all three runners in off a double to put CBU in front for the first time this weekend against CSUMB. Savannah Miller followed with a double to score Mann and London Miller jumped on the double train to score her sister.
The Otters made a pitching change, but a wild pitch put London Miller in scoring position at third. CSUMB caught Willingham's deep fly to center, but London Miller tagged up to add one more to the Lancer tally, putting CBU in front 10-5 with tons of momentum.
Like it has all season, CBU kept the scoring coming despite the two outs as Orozco blasted her third home run of her debut season, scoring three runs to give the Lancers the 13-5 upper hand.
Needing three outs to end the game early, CBU buckled down on defense to keep the Otters off the board and force one more game.
Carrying momentum over from the first game, London Miller put CBU on the board first in the nightcap after she blasted her 14th home run of her debut season.
CSUMB evened the game in the third and then took the lead in the fourth, holding a one-run advantage over the Lancers, 2-1.
CBU threatened but left runners stranded to take the field in the bottom of the sixth looking to hold the Otters. Despite surrendering a hit, the Lancers didn't give up a run to get one more chance at the plate.
The Otters tightened up, however, and didn't allow a base runner to hold onto their 2-1 victory and advance to the Super West Region Championship.
