Softball Collects First Program Victory Over Ranked Opponent In Division I Era

Friday, February 25

Cathedral City, Calif.

10 AM

California Baptist University

6-7

#24 BYU

9-3

California Baptist

BYU

Softball Collects First Program Victory Over Ranked Opponent In Division I Era

2/25/2022 12:53:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

By: Daniel Cook, Assistant Director of Athletics Communications

CATHEDRAL CITY - The California Baptist University softball team achieved a major program milestone on Friday morning, defeating 24th-ranked BYU 6-3 to secure the first-ever victory over a ranked opponent. The Lancers used a five-run sixth inning to secure the win.

"This is a great win for the program and a huge win for the team. It's a milestone that these players can build on as we grow together," said Head Coach Mike Smith after the game. "I challenged the team after yesterday's results and they really stepped up today. It was a great all-around team effort, and I thought we played really well at the plate, on the base paths and in the circle."

Deja Westbrook collects an easy fly out in left field to secure the Lancers first ever win over a ranked opponent, #24 BYU, in the DI era!#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/8NHsWEVONa
— California Baptist Softball (@CBUSoftball) February 25, 2022

The win improves CBU's overall record to 6-7 on the year with another doubleheader on deck Saturday to close out the Mary Nutter Classic. Raegan Cheyne went 3-for-3 on the day with a run scored, while Amanda Argomaniz arguably made the most noise while going 2-3 with a three-run homer.

The Lancers took their first lead in the top of the third when second baseman Kenzie Yamakoshi recorded her first RBI as a Lancer on a bunt single that scored Mia Alvarez. That run was set up through smart base running as Alvarez went first-to-third during the previous at-bat where Cheyne laid down a sacrifice bunt that pulled the Cougar third basemen off her bag and allowed Alvarez to take the extra base.

🧠💨 Smart baserunning and some small ball gets CBU on the board first! Kenzie Yamakoshi collects her first RBI as a Lancer!#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/WSRM4nQete
— California Baptist Softball (@CBUSoftball) February 25, 2022

BYU would level the score in the bottom of the fifth off a double to left center. That would be the only earned run that Lancer starting pitcher Alyssa Argomaniz would allow in 5.2 innings of work.

Makayla Jordan got that run back for CBU in the top of the sixth by driving in Cheyne with a one-out single. Jordan, who was tied for the team lead in runs batted in last season with 21, increased her current team-leading RBI total to 10 with that hit.

Makayla Jordan knocks in her third RBI of the tournament, putting the Lancers back on top in the top of the sixth!#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/hhjJjDHuLr
— California Baptist Softball (@CBUSoftball) February 25, 2022

The Lancers would score again two batters later when Deja Westbrook shot a line drive straight at the Cougar shortstop, who was unable to collect it cleanly, scoring Yamakoshi and moving Jordan to third.

After Westbrook stole second, Amanda Argomaniz showed her power on a 1-1 pitch and sent a no-doubt home run over the left field wall. That single swing brought in three runs and boosted the Lancer lead to 6-1 over BYU.

💣💣💣 Amanda Argomaniz blows the game wide-open with a massive 3-run home run to put the Lancers up 6-1 on #24 BYU!#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/9cquBxGwwN
— California Baptist Softball (@CBUSoftball) February 25, 2022

The Cougars would begin a rally in the bottom of the inning, scoring another unearned run before Alyssa Argomaniz would be swapped out in relief for Jordan Schuring. She came into a bases-loaded situation and got out of it while allowing just one unearned run to cross the plate to bring the scoreline to 6-3 in favor of CBU.

The Lancers were held scoreless in the top of the seventh and now had the 3-4-5 hitters for BYU to deal with. Schuring forced two quick groundouts to get the Lancers into an advantageous situation, but the Cougars responded with a walk and a single, putting the tying run at the plate. In the fourth pitch of the at-bat, Schuring induced a routine pop fly which Westbrook easily took care of in left field.

Alyssa Argomaniz earned her third win of the season and drops her ERA to 3.50 with 25 strikeouts after nine appearances this season. Schuring earned her first save as a Lancer after allowing just one hit in 1.1 innings of work on Friday.

BYU Hitter: Ball four Alyssa Argomaniz: Nah, strike three!#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/ZFeHsPCFBc
— California Baptist Softball (@CBUSoftball) February 25, 2022

UP NEXT

The Lancers finish out the Mary Nutter Classic with a doubleheader against UC San Diego and UC Davis. The Lancers take on the Tritons at 2:30 on Saturday before playing the nightcap against the Aggies at 8 p.m.