On The Prowl

Saturday, February 20

Riverside, Calif.

12:00 PM

California Baptist University

12-3

Adelphi

2-7

Adelphi

California Baptist

Kayla Hatch threw a career-high nine strikeouts in CBU's 7-3 win over No. 7 Adelphi.

Photo by: Jacob Gonzalez

2/20/2016 4:58:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Sammi Sheppard, Director of Sports Information

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — California Baptist University furthered its case for a spot in the first NCAA Division II rankings, sweeping No. 7-ranked Adelphi Saturday afternoon.

The Lancers — who are receiving votes in the NFCA preseason poll — grabbed a 2-1 win to open the day and followed with a 7-3 victory in the finale. The pair of victories gave CBU the series sweep over Adelphi and improved its record to 13-3 on the year. The Panthers head back to New York with a 2-8 overall record.

"We really hung in there well today," said head coach Bill Baber. "Both pitchers really battled well for us."

Neither team could get any offense going early on as both pitchers locked down their defenses. Ashley Coleman struck out three batters in the first two innings to keep the Panthers off the board and didn't allow a hit until the fourth.

The Lancers got their first hit of the day in the bottom half of the fourth as Hannah Thieroff knocked a grounder deep into the gap between shortstop and third. The Panthers tried to get the throw off in time, but it was just off target — not that it mattered since Thieroff had already safely reached first.

Nicole Hennessey took over the base running and proceeded to steal second, but CBU couldn't send her any further as Adelphi ended the inning with two-straight popups.

"It can be frustrating to get runners on but not be able to send them home," said Baber. "We're right there. That pitcher did a good job to keep us off balanced and their defense made some big plays. Have to tip our hats to them."

Krista Mann led off the sixth with a single into shallow left field. Sarah Murphy joined her on base on a bobbled ground ball from the shortstop. Erin Burkhart (3-for-6 on the day) put down a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners into scoring position at second and third as Thieroff stepped up to the plate.

The freshman third baseman drew ball four to load up the bases with one out. Adelphi managed to get the second out of the inning, but London Miller laced a line drive through the right side to score two runners to break the scoreless drought.

With a 2-0 cushion, CBU just needed three outs to win the game. Adelphi made things interesting by scoring one run with one out, but Coleman struck the next batter out and grabbed the game-winning grounder to seal the 2-1 victory.

The nightcap started in similar fashion with neither team plating a runner in the first inning of action. CBU struck first in the bottom of the second, taking advantage of a bad throw to take an early 1-0 lead.

Jacque Lopez (4-for-7 on the day) scored on the error and Miller made her way to third. Jordan Mowatt sent her home by knocking a single just in front of the left fielder. Murphy tacked on an insurance run as she put a single in a similar area, scoring Mowatt at third, 3-0.

The Panthers responded by scoring two runs of their own in the next half inning, cutting the margin to 3-2. Kayla Hatch kept Adelphi from evening the game up by hurling strike three past a Panther for the third out of the frame.

CBU tacked on some insurance in the bottom of the fourth as Mann hit a two-out single into the gap at right center. Murphy then laid down a perfect bunt and beat out the throw. The Panther first baseman couldn't hold onto the ball, allowing Mann to advance to third.

Burkhart kept the two-out rally going as she sent a base hit straight up the middle to score Mann and give the Lancers a 4-2 lead.

The insurance paid off as Adelphi responded with another run in the top of the fifth to once again come within one run, 4-3.

Mowatt led the sixth off with another perfect bunt, but Adelphi was able to turn a double play to threaten to end the inning early. Still, the Lancers had more offense in them, as Burkhart and Thieroff had back-to-back doubles to extend CBU's upper hand to 6-3.

Lopez kept the two-out rally going, drilling her shot straight up the middle to score Iveth Alvarado — who took over running for Thieroff — from second, 7-3.

"I think we had seen their pitcher for so many innings, that our adjustments finally started to come through," said Baber on breaking through in the bottom of the sixth. "Jacque and Erin were really starting to see the ball well."

Once again, Hatch locked down the Lancer defense and retired the first batter to inch one out closer to securing the win. The senior pitcher then fielded a grounder and struck out the final batter to grab her sixth win so far and set a new career high with nine strikeouts in a game.

"Kayla was phenomenal," said Baber. "She really had the ball moving and kept their hitting down. Adelphi can hit too."

CBU continues its home stand, hosting Cal State Dominguez Hills next Saturday for a pair of games, starting at 1:00 p.m. The Lancers then host PacWest newcomer Concordia University of Irvine the following weekend. The first regular-season rankings are scheduled to be released on Wed., Feb. 24.

"We have such a great crowd at home, the girls really thrive off the fans and the cheering," said Baber. "They give us momentum to win and play well at home.

"With CSUDH coming in, we just want to keep working on getting better, especially with PacWest action opening up in a couple of weeks. We're excited to start conference and see what Concordia can do."