California Baptist University
Cal State Monterey Bay
Pressure Makes Diamonds
5/9/2014 8:00:00 PM | Softball
SEASIDE, Calif. --- After dropping a disappointing 13-1 loss to No. 3-ranked Cal State Monterey Bay to start the day, No. 21-ranked California Baptist University shook it off in major fashion.
In a win-or-go-home situation, the Lancers went back to their game to defeat Western Oregon 10-0 in five innings.
CBU now sits 45-12 as it competes in the NCAA Division II West Regional I final on Saturday. The Lancers will face the Otters (47-9) once again, needing to win two-straight games in order to keep going in the tournament. The Wolves end their season with a 34-23 record.
The Otters opened the first game with two runs in the first frame, but CBU responded by cutting the lead in half in the second.
London Miller grabbed the first hit of the day with a ground-rule double as it bounced over the fence at right center. Miller made her way to third where Ashley DeVaere sent her home with a base hit up the middle to put the score at 2-1 in favor of CSUMB.
Three two-run home runs in the top of the third, along with two other runs, gave CSUMB a 9-1 cushion. The Otters added three more in the fourth, holding a 13-1 advantage.
Needing five runs to keep the game alive, the Lancers couldn't get on base to drop the game 13-1, forcing CBU to play a game later in the day.
Despite the earlier loss, the Lancers came out in the second game showing no fear or signs of anxiousness. CBU opened with four runs in its first chance at the plate.
London Miller initiated the scoring spree as she blasted her 13th long ball of the year—with Krista Mann and Savannah Miller on second and first—to put CBU on the board. Rachel Meyer batted in another run, scoring Jacque Lopez with a base hit up the middle.
With runners on first and second, Savannah Miller laid down a sacrifice bunt and a WOU error scored Marshean August to give CBU a 5-0 cushion. London Miller extended the Lancers lead once again, knocking a double to score two more. DeVaere followed with a double of her own to trade places with London Miller and give CBU an 8-0 lead.
The Wolves kept the Lancers off the board in the third, but CBU wasn't done scoring yet. In the top of the fourth and runners in scoring position on second and third, Lopez grounded out but advanced the runners to add another to the Lancers' tally. DeVaere grabbed another RBI, sending Tayler Castro in for the 10th run.
Kayla Hatch took over the circle for Belinda Renne in the bottom fifth, needing three outs to secure the win for CBU. The Lancers took the first two batters out in order and finished the game with a pop up to DeVaere. The win marked Renne's 28th of the season as she allowed just one hit during her time in the circle.
CBU has a shot at redemption as it faces CSUMB tomorrow at 12 p.m. The Lancers will need to win two games in order to advance to the NCAA Division II Super Region Championship next weekend.
