RIVERSIDE, Calif. – For the second game in a row, California Baptist University's came right out and silenced top-ranked Azusa Pacific, with multiple runs in the top of the first inning.

Four hits, including a grand slam from Ryan Williams, staked the Lancers to a six-run lead immediately against their PacWest Conference rival Cougars Friday at the Cougar Baseball Complex. It was plenty of enough cushion in CBU's 10-3 win. 

"It's really big to have momentum in the first inning," first baseman John Glenn said. "The pitchers see that number on the board and it gives them confidence."

The Lancers were extremely efficient on offense, stranding just one runner on base in the game, with the help of three home runs. Glenn, Luke Navigato and Nick Plaia all collected two hits in the victory. CBU improved to a 26-14 overall record, 17-9 in conference, and APU dropped to 30-6, 17-5, with the series concluding with a noon doubleheader Saturday at Totman Stadium.

Andrew Bernstein gave the Lancers back-to-back quality starts. The junior went seven strong, as he limited the powerful Cougars' offense to just seven hits and two runs and struck out six, without a walk.

"I kept it simple and just focused on whatever guy was in the box," Bernstein said. "My fastball felt really good; it was sinking a lot, and my changeup was great playing off that."

After Garett King's complete-game performance Thursday and Bernstein going seven Friday, CBU has used just one bullpen arm. Morgan Earman threw a 1-2-3 eighth inning for CBU, and then closed out the ninth on the mound.

"It's extremely important because we go into the rest of the week knowing we have everyone available," Bernstein said. "Coming from the pen, I know how it feels because we have a lot of different options for tomorrow."

A walk to Zack Norris and Navigato single started the game for CBU. Glenn turned on the first pitch he saw and laced a single into right field to score Norris before Tommy Bell doubled home Navigato. A full-count walk to Brian Ruhm set up Williams' first-pitch grand slam to left field for a 6-0 edge.

APU scored a run in the third, but the Lancers got it back in the fourth on a two-out solo homer from Plaia. Norris kept the inning going when he reached on an error and stole second. Navigato moved Norris to third with a single into right field, which allowed the Lancers to work a double steal to score Norris and make it 8-1 CBU.

Another solo shot from Glenn made it 9-2 Lancers in the eighth inning. In their final at-bats, the Lancers got another insurance run. It started on an error and then a stolen base from Plaia, Norris moved him to third with a sacrifice bunt and a wild pitch brought him home and capped the scoring for CBU at 10-2.