Racking In The Runs

Tuesday, March 31

San Bernardino, CA

1:00 PM

California Baptist University

31-6

Cal State San Bernardino

17-16

California Baptist

CSU San Bernardino

Photo by: Leigh Ann Lindsey

3/31/2015 5:42:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Sammi Sheppard, Director of Sports Information

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — No. 13-ranked California Baptist University took a break from PacWest action Tuesday afternoon, but not from racking up runs. The Lancers beat non-conference foe Cal State San Bernardino 10-4 and 11-3 (five innings) to complete the four-game sweep after opening the season with two home wins over the Coyotes.

"These in-region games are important," said head coach Bill Baber. "We swung the bats well tonight."

The Lancers improve to 32-6 on the season while the Coyotes fall to an even 17-17 mark.

It took a while for things to get cooking in the first game, until CSUSB struck first in the bottom of the fourth. Unfazed, CBU exploded in its next chance at the plate, scoring eight runs on six hits and three errors.

Sarah Murphy led things off with a hard-to-handle single to shortstop and advanced to second as the infielder struggled to get the ball. Savannah Miller laid down a bunt to sacrifice the second out, but the Coyote pitcher couldn't get the throw off, allowing Miller to reach safely and score Murphy.

The Coyotes managed to grab the second out, but Ashley DeVaere blasted a long ball over the fence at left to put the Lancers in front 3-1. Kailey Willingham followed in the same suit, rocketing a homer to left, tacking on another insurance run.

"Our two-out rallies were impressive tonight," said Baber. "We were trying to just get line drives and a couple went over the fence. We always talk about the game not being over until the last strike and it's the same with an inning. Once somebody starts hitting, they all seem to get on board. They have a lot of confidence in themselves and each other."

Still, the Lancers weren't done with their two-out rally as Jenna Lieber laced a two-RBI double and Heather Smith took advantage of a CSUSB error to touch home. In her second turn at the plate in the inning, Jordan Mowatt singled to third to grab an RBI before the Coyotes could end the frame.

CBU put pressure on the home team to end the game early after plating two more runs in the top of the sixth for a 10-1 cushion. With runners on first and second, CSUSB managed to get two outs, but Tayler Castro doubled to left to score one runner and Smith scored the other on an RBI single.

The Coyotes scrapped to score three runs in the bottom half of the inning, but it wasn't enough as CBU secured the 10-4 win. Loie Kesterson went five innings in the circle to grab her 16th win of the season. Belinda Renne also got in on the action, as she continues to build back up from injury.

Like it had in the first game, CSUSB kept the Lancers quiet in the nightcap and scored first, this time plating three runs in the first inning.

CBU found its response in the top of the third, evening the game at 3-3. With Mowatt and Miller on base, Krista Mann drove in one run on a double to right. Willingham sent the remaining runners in with a deep single into the gap in center to tie the game.

Castro gave the Lancers the go-ahead run in the fourth, sending a solo leadoff shot over the fence at right center. The Coyotes threatened to end the inning with two-straight outs, but Mowatt drew ball four to keep the inning alive. Miller followed and doubled to left, scoring Mowatt and advancing to third on the throw. Mann capped the scoring at 6-3 with an RBI base hit, giving Miller the green light to come home.

After keeping CSUSB scoreless in the bottom of the frame, CBU took the batter's box once again and scored a staggering five runs on four hits. Lieber started the RBI party with a deep single to center to score Castro. Smith took over running from there and proceeded to steal second. Murphy joined her on base with ball four and Mowatt doubled to score the pair.

Even with the 9-3 lead and the Coyotes just needing one more out to end the inning, CBU wasn't done scoring. Miller stepped up to the plate and drilled her pitch over the fence at right to score her and Mowatt.

Trailing 11-3, CSUSB was desperate to score one run in the bottom of the fifth to keep the game alive, but Kayla Hatch would have none of that. The pitcher drew a popup and, despite allowing a Coyote runner, sealed her 16th win of the season with a grounder to short.

"We work on taking care of the bases every day," said Baber. "I just try to remind the girls to take a deep breath if the other team gets runners on base. We made some good plays behind our pitchers. They're doing a better job of knowing where to put the ball."

CBU looks to carry momentum from its 13-game winning streak into this weekend's four-game series with No. 5 Dixie State. The two PacWest opponents face off Friday at 5:00 p.m. for a pair of games before finishing the series on Saturday with a noon doubleheader start.

"Our offense is very confident, but we know these are going to be big games," said Baber. "We're going to take it one pitch at a time. They're a great ball team and we're a good ball team. It'll be an exciting two games. I expect them to close, though, maybe one- or two-run games. We both have good pitching and both can hit. These are the games you love to play, they're fun to play in."