Flashes Of Lightning

Thursday, May 7

St. George, Utah

12:00 PM

California Baptist University

41-9

Chico State

28-21

Cal St. Chico

California Baptist

Photo by: Sammi Wellman

5/7/2015 2:26:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

By: Sammi Sheppard, Director of Sports Information

SAINT GEORGE, Utah — It wasn't just lightning on the horizon lighting up the first day of the NCAA Division II West Regional at Dixie State, No. 11 California Baptist University brought the spark as well. The third-seeded Lancers exploded to an 8-1 victory over No. 6 seed Chico State to lead off their second-straight NCAA Division II postseason run.

With the win, CBU improves to 41-9 on the season while the Wildcats drop to 28-21 and are now in a do-or-die situation with the double-elimination regional.

To open the first inning, Chico State looked to score early but Sarah Murphy hurled in a ball from center as Savannah Miller made the tag at the plate to give the Lancers two outs. The Wildcats kept pressing, however, and found a run before CBU could grab the third out.

"That throw from Sarah set the tone," said head coach Bill Baber. "We don't worry about when we're down a run or two. We all believe we can come back. Before the game, we talked about playing for each other and not worrying about anything. We showed that today."

CBU took the Wildcats down in order in the second and used the defensive momentum to fuel its offense. Three walks loaded up the bases, allowing Savannah Miller (2-for-3, four RBIs) to drill a double past the Wildcat left fielder, scoring two runners in the process. Krista Mann followed with an infield single to give Jordan Mowatt the green light to run home, giving the Lancers a 3-1 lead after two complete.

Tayler Castro (3-for-4, three runs) led off the third with a double blooper just over third base and made her way to third as the throw to second was off target. Sarah Murphy (2-for-3, three RBIs, two runs) sent her fellow outfielder home as she chopped down a single that went over the third baseman and under the shortstop's glove, putting CBU ahead 4-1.

"Even though [Sarah] is a freshman, nothing is fazing her," said Baber. "She's doing a great job for a freshman in her first postseason appearance."

Looking to keep the good times rolling, Kailey Willingham led the fourth off with a base hit to left and was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. Brittany Cody took over the running and was joined on base by Castro's single to left.

The Wildcats threatened to end the inning by grabbing the second out, but CBU had other ideas. Murphy drove in two more runners with a shot to center and Miller batted in another two with a base hit to right, all on two outs. Chico State finally ended the inning, but found itself trailing 8-1 heading into the fifth.

Just before CBU took to the batter's box in the bottom of the sixth, two lightning delays were put in place, halting the game for over an hour. When play resumed, the Lancers couldn't put more runs on but held off the Wildcats to take the win.

After giving up three hits in the first, Loie Kesterson held down the circle for CBU, shutting down the batters to keep momentum in favor of her team. She didn't allow another hit until the sixth inning and struck out two batters in her seven innings pitched. She claimed her 21st win of the season, sitting just two behind from breaking into the single-season record book in the 10 spot.

"She also showed how she didn't let anything bother her," said Baber. "I'm very impressed with how she came back the rest of the way."

The Lancers will face No. 4-ranked and top-seeded Dixie State Friday at 10:00 a.m. Pacific time after the Red Storm sneaked out a 7-5 victory over Saint Martin's Thursday night. If CBU wins that game, it won't play again until Saturday at 11:00 a.m. Pacific time against the last team standing with one loss in the tournament.