CBU Wins Wild WAC Opener

Friday, March 22

Bakersfield, Calif.

2:00 PM

California Baptist University

14-15, 1-0

CSU Bakersfield

8-13, 0-1

California Baptist

CSU Bakersfield

Photo by: Reagan Lee

CBU Wins Wild WAC Opener

3/22/2019 5:00:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

By: Andrew Shortall, Director of Athletics Communications

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – In its Western Athletic Conference debut, California Baptist University overcame a two-run deficit through five innings for a 6-4, eight-inning win on Friday afternoon at CSU Bakersfield.

Caitlyn Lloyd terrorized the Roadrunners, going 3-for-4 at the plate with two runs batted in, which just so happened to be the game-tying and go-ahead runs. Kellye Springstead picked up her 12^th win of the season in the circle, with her 12^th complete game. The senior gave up eight hits and struck out five without walking anyone.

The Lancers have now won nine of their last 12 games to improve to 14-15, 1-0 in the WAC, while the Roadrunners fall to 8-13, 0-1. CBU and CSUB conclude its three-game series with a 1 p.m. doubleheader Saturday in Bakersfield.

CSU Bakersfield got on the board first in the bottom of the third inning on Friday before the Lancers took their first lead with two runs in the fifth. Lloyd was hit by a pitch to start the inning, and then moved to third on a wild pitch and sacrifice bunt from Deanna Alarcon.

A single up the middle from Halle Rosario scored Lloyd, and a two-out double from Brittany Galvez plated CBU's second run of the inning.

Halle Rosario singles up the middle to tie the game!#LanceUp pic.twitter.com/3MswoIepdZ
— CBU Softball (@CBUSoftball) March 22, 2019

Lancers take the lead! Brittany Galvez doubles in the go-ahead run!#LanceUp pic.twitter.com/C2AqnJwYlh
— CBU Softball (@CBUSoftball) March 22, 2019

The Roadrunners answered back with three runs in the bottom half to take a 4-2 lead, needing just six more outs to secure the victory.

CBU fought back to tie the game in the sixth after consecutive leadoff singles from Anise Avalos and Amanda Argomaniz. Shelby Arbeiter sacrificed both runners into scoring position. Alley Johnson scored Avalos with a soft RBI grounder back to the pitcher.

🏃‍♀️💨 Anise Avalos beats the throw home!#LanceUp pic.twitter.com/ltWALzy8jT
— CBU Softball (@CBUSoftball) March 22, 2019

Lloyd then tied the game with two-out RBI single to center.

Caitlyn Lloyd evens the score with a RBI single!#LanceUp pic.twitter.com/8hYiTpdwbz
— CBU Softball (@CBUSoftball) March 22, 2019

Springstead kept the game tied with 1-2-3 innings in the sixth and seventh, and the Lancers rode that momentum to a two-run eighth. Cheyann Tucker started the extra frame with a pinch-hit single. Arbeiter sacrificed the runner into scoring position, but CSUB's attempt to throw out the lead runner was late and put her aboard, as well.

Johnson moved both runners up with a soft grounder back to the pitcher, and Lloyd came up clutch again with a single up the middle.

Caitlyn Lloyd does it again! Lancers re-take the lead in the top of the 8th!#LanceUp pic.twitter.com/0MQPvMAg1u
— CBU Softball (@CBUSoftball) March 22, 2019

Alarcon scored a precious insurance run with a sacrifice fly to left before the top of the eighth was done. Springstead overcame a one-out single in the bottom of the eighth to wrap up the victory for CBU.