California Baptist University
No. 3 Utah Valley
SB PREVIEW: Two-Seed Lancers Set to Make A Run At WAC Tournament in Seattle
5/8/2024 3:45:00 PM | Softball
RIVERSIDE - Despite action officially beginning on Wednesday morning, California Baptist University will open the 2024 Western Athletic Conference Softball Tournament on Thursday morning after earning a double-bye as No. 2 overall seed in the standings. The highest postseason seed in the Division I era was earned after the squad went 17-7 in league play and 6-2-1 in WAC series.
The Lancers bring seven newly minted all-conference talents to Seattle, led by Kayla Lyon, who made her postseason award debut as CBU's lone member of the First Team list. Kalena Burns, Presley Hosick, Merissa Borkowski, and Kate Penberthy were all honored with Second Team nods, with Sydney Soto and Priscilla Estrada being recognized for their outstanding play in the field with All-WAC Defensive Team awards.
The Lancers await their opponent, as two games were necessary to determine the first opponent for CBU. Sixth-seeded UT Arlington took care of business against seventh-seeded Tarlton State on Wednesday morning, just to be rewarded with a second Wednesday game against third-seeded Utah Valley. The winner of that matchup will take on the Lancers at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday.
In an ironic twist, these two WAC series were cut short during the regular season due to weather issues. UT Arlington was the conference opener for the Lancers, played in Texas. The Friday doubleheader was a split, with CBU taking game one 12-7 before the Mustangs took the second game 11-3 in six innings. The Lancers fared better against the Wolverines in Orem, sweeping the Friday doubleheader in convincing fashion, 16-10 and 8-0 (six innings), before a rare April winter storm forced the cancelation of Saturday's game three.
A victorious outcome in the opening matchup would pit CBU against either top-seed Grand Canyon or the winner of Southern Utah/Seattle if they were to top the Lopes. That game, Game 9 on the tournament bracket, would be played Friday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. Should the Lancers drop their opener to UTA/UVU, the reverse fate would put CBU into the Consolation Bracket, still with a path to the Championship, though harder without the safety net of the additional elimination game open to them. The second game in the event of a loss,, Game 7 on the bracket would be played on Thursday at 4:00 p.m.
Thankfully, there is no need to memorize the half-dozen what-if scenarios; just follow along on the WAC Tournament Central Page with updated brackets and, matchups. Links for live stats and ESPN+ broadcasts.
