Wednesday, February 4
Riverside
5:00 PM
California Baptist University
vs
Cal State San Bernardino
Photo by: Sammi Wellman
Time To Take The Field
2/3/2015 12:36:00 AM | Softball
RIVERSIDE, Calif. — It's been a long year for No. 23 California Baptist University to patiently wait for its turn to start a new campaign. After grabbing their second PacWest Championship and first-ever NCAA Division II berth last year, the Lancers are excited to take the field Wednesday and get back to where they left off.
The Lancers get right back into the swing of things on Wednesday, hosting Cal State San Bernardino for a doubleheader at 5:00 p.m., before hitting the road for the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division II Leadoff Classic Invite. At the tournament, CBU faces three new teams in New Haven, West Texas A&M and East Central, with West Texas A&M opening the season ranked No. 1 in NCAA Division II after claiming last year's championship.
"This week will show us what we've got," said head coach Bill Baber. "We play a lot of good teams. It'll be great competition and gives us a real opportunity to see where we're at. I think the girls are ready and prepared. We're ready to play someone other than our own team."
Twelve returners will look to guide the Lancers off the bat, with three already standing out. Prior to the season beginning, Belinda Renne was picked as the PacWest Preseason Pitcher of the Year, while Savannah Miller and Krista Mann were each added to the preseason all-conference list. The two fielders also found spots on the inaugural Schutt Sports/National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division II National Player of the Year award.
Renne became CBU's No. 1 threat in the circle last year, grabbing 29 wins with a career-low 2.70 ERA. In 223 innings pitched, she hurled 122 strikeouts and posted 31 complete games, earning a spot on the all-conference first team.
Last year, Miller finished the year with CBU's second-highest average, batting at .398 on the season. Of her 68 hits, she hit 17 doubles, three triples and four long balls to score 51 runs and grab 47 RBIs.
Mann finished in front of Miller with a team-high .434 average off 82 hits, ranking in the NCAA Division II's top-40 hitters. In her collegiate debut, she knocked 10 home runs, 15 doubles and three triples to score 61 runs and bat in 54 others.
All four infielders return to the lineup for CBU, with Mann anchoring shortstop. Kailey Willingham returns to her post at first, while Ashley DeVaere and Jacque Lopez round out the final two.
In the outfield, Jordan Mowatt is back, bringing speed in left field, while the other two spots may show new faces. Due to graduation and injury, CBU has to fill center and right, with Tayler Castro, Jennifer Kolander, Sarah Murphy, Amanda Springstead and Heather Smith vying for time.
While Renne may have been picked as the PacWest Preseason Pitcher of the Year, she isn't the only arsenal CBU could throw out there. Kayla Hatch also returns for CBU, while Brittany Boone — who redshirted last year — Jenna Lieber and Loie Kesterson will also look to add some bang to the Lancers' punch in the circle.
The Lancers get right back into the swing of things on Wednesday, hosting Cal State San Bernardino for a doubleheader at 5:00 p.m., before hitting the road for the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division II Leadoff Classic Invite. At the tournament, CBU faces three new teams in New Haven, West Texas A&M and East Central, with West Texas A&M opening the season ranked No. 1 in NCAA Division II after claiming last year's championship.
"This week will show us what we've got," said head coach Bill Baber. "We play a lot of good teams. It'll be great competition and gives us a real opportunity to see where we're at. I think the girls are ready and prepared. We're ready to play someone other than our own team."
Twelve returners will look to guide the Lancers off the bat, with three already standing out. Prior to the season beginning, Belinda Renne was picked as the PacWest Preseason Pitcher of the Year, while Savannah Miller and Krista Mann were each added to the preseason all-conference list. The two fielders also found spots on the inaugural Schutt Sports/National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division II National Player of the Year award.
Renne became CBU's No. 1 threat in the circle last year, grabbing 29 wins with a career-low 2.70 ERA. In 223 innings pitched, she hurled 122 strikeouts and posted 31 complete games, earning a spot on the all-conference first team.
Last year, Miller finished the year with CBU's second-highest average, batting at .398 on the season. Of her 68 hits, she hit 17 doubles, three triples and four long balls to score 51 runs and grab 47 RBIs.
Mann finished in front of Miller with a team-high .434 average off 82 hits, ranking in the NCAA Division II's top-40 hitters. In her collegiate debut, she knocked 10 home runs, 15 doubles and three triples to score 61 runs and bat in 54 others.
All four infielders return to the lineup for CBU, with Mann anchoring shortstop. Kailey Willingham returns to her post at first, while Ashley DeVaere and Jacque Lopez round out the final two.
In the outfield, Jordan Mowatt is back, bringing speed in left field, while the other two spots may show new faces. Due to graduation and injury, CBU has to fill center and right, with Tayler Castro, Jennifer Kolander, Sarah Murphy, Amanda Springstead and Heather Smith vying for time.
While Renne may have been picked as the PacWest Preseason Pitcher of the Year, she isn't the only arsenal CBU could throw out there. Kayla Hatch also returns for CBU, while Brittany Boone — who redshirted last year — Jenna Lieber and Loie Kesterson will also look to add some bang to the Lancers' punch in the circle.
Players Mentioned
P
/ Softball
2B/OF
/ Softball
3B
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
2B/SS
/ Softball
SS
/ Softball
C
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
1B
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