CBU Tops Saint Mary’s For First Win

Friday, February 7

Sacramento, Calif.

9:00 AM

California Baptist University

1-1

Saint Mary's (CA)

0-3

Saint Mary's

Cal Baptist

CBU Tops Saint Mary’s For First Win

2/7/2020 4:04:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Daniel Cook, Assistant Director of Athletics Communications

SACRAMENTO – California Baptist University split its two games in Sacramento earlier Friday and collected its first win of the 2020 season in a thrilling, 9-7 victory over the Gaels of Saint Mary's College.

GAME 1 – Saint Mary's College vs California Baptist

The Lancers used seven combined runs in the fifth and sixth innings to mount another rally. It erased the four-run deficit they entered the bottom of the fifth with and ultimately turned it into a two-run victory.

Freshman Katelyn Mangrello got her first crack at collegiate action and did not disappoint. Mangrello went 2-3 with four runs batted in on the day and showed signs of defensive prowess, allowing no passed balls. Transfer shortstop Abby Robertson turned in another quality offensive showing, going 2-3 with a walk and scoring three runs.

Caitlyn Lloyd again left her mark on the game, scoring a pair of runs while going 1-2 at the plate and being awarded another two bases the hard way after being hit by two pitches. Molly Kolander produced as well, with a triple, a run and an RBI.

The Gaels played the role of the visiting team in the neutral-site contest and wasted no time getting out to a 2-0 lead before the first half inning was over. The Lancers did not let that lead linger, as they responded with a pair of runs of their own in the bottom of the first off of Mangrello's first CBU hit, which brought in Lloyd and Robertson.

SMC would tack on four more unanswered runs by the middle of the fifth inning, making it a 6-2 game at that point. Mackenzie Budinger would record her only hit of the game in the bottom of the fifth, with one out and the based juiced, to score a pair and get the Lancers rolling. Mangrello followed that with a double down the left field line, plating Lloyd and Makenna Stram -- who had come in to pinch run for Budinger -- to level the game at six all.

🗣️ TIE GAME 🗣️

CBU erases a 4⃣-run deficit vs. Saint Mary's in the fifth inning. Mackenzie Budinger and Katelyn Mangrello both come up with big 2⃣-run doubles, while Ali Belloc and Abby Robertson also singled in the inning.#LanceUp⚔ pic.twitter.com/nClJ7VzfGS
— CBU Softball (@CBUSoftball) February 7, 2020

A sacrifice bunt would put the Gaels back on top by a run for a short while, but the Lancers would tie the game again in the bottom of the sixth on a Kolander triple. They took the final lead on Lloyd's single to left that ended with her cheering on third after advancing on the throw and a fielding error. Robertson and Kolander scored on the play to make the final count 9-7 Lancers.

Amanda Hernandez, a freshman from nearby Fullerton, threw six stellar innings in her collegiate debut. She finished the game striking out five Gaels while allowing just two earned runs on six total hits. Hernandez is the first freshman to win in her debut appearance since 2017.

❗️ LANCERS WIN ❗️

CBU scores 7⃣ runs in the final 2⃣ innings to earn its first win of the season over Saint Mary's in the NorCal Kickoff Tournament. The Lancers had 🔟 hits in the contest, including 2⃣ each from Abby Robertson and Katelyn Mangrello.#LanceUp⚔ pic.twitter.com/u6wXTirfIa
— CBU Softball (@CBUSoftball) February 7, 2020

GAME 2 – California Baptist at Sacramento State

The second half of gameplay for the Lancers was not as successful as game one, as CBU dropped the day two finale to the Hornets of Sacramento State by a score of 6-0.

Four Lancers recorded hits in the game. Amanda Argomaniz notched her first hit of the season while starting at first base for the third-straight game.

👈☝️

Amanda Argomaniz gets her first hit of the season, splitting the left side infielders! #LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/JbNsTdK7RL
— CBU Softball (@CBUSoftball) February 7, 2020

Freshman pitcher Gretchen Goldsmith got her first circle time of the season, coming when she entered to close out the final inning. Goldsmith struck out one and did not allow a hit.

The Lancers will play just one game on Saturday morning, as they face the Gauchos of UC Santa Barbara in Sacramento at 9:00 a.m. Fans can follow along with the game via LiveStats here.