WACO, TEXAS - California Baptist University softball challenged the Baylor Bears in the championship game of the Baylor Invitational this morning in Texas. The Lancers, the tournament's No. 1 seed by virtue of runs allowed tiebreaker, claimed the title in hostile territory on a two-out, 2-1 count, frozen rope to right center from Kate Penberthy to walk off the Bears in Waco, 2-1. The Lancers are back at .500 for the season, sitting at 10-10 after the impressive weekend.
It was a windy day at Getterman Stadium, with the flags around the outfield walls taut and pointing back at home plate as if playing defense for the home team. To add to the early scene, Baylor struck first in the top of the first on a two-out RBI single, taking control of the game's early momentum.
Despite the early setback, the Lancers doubled down their efforts, continuing to lean on their stout pitching and defense until their bats came around. True freshman Stevie Robison continued to chase down fly balls and foul hits, putting away four Bears with her vision and speed. At the same time, Valerie Alvarez and Priscilla Estrada strengthened their case for the best catcher-shortstop duo in the Western Athletic Conference with another smooth caught stealing in a high-leverage situation in the top of the seventh that shut down a budding Baylor rally.
The Lancers leveled the game in the bottom of the third courtesy of another clutch Kalena Burns hit, which scored Matti Severns from third. Burns would only record the one hit on Sunday, but her reputation had something to do with that, as she was subsequently intentionally walked in the fifth inning. It was her second intentional walk of the tournament.
The game progressed without major notes until the seventh when CBU nipped the previously mentioned Baylor rally early and took their hacks at the bottom of the seventh with eyes set on not playing another extra-inning game. The first two Lancers went down via strikeout and groundout, bringing Severns up to the plate.
She had gone 1-3 in the game to this point, but head coach Mike Smith had been preaching hustle and running out ground balls all game, so when Severns put a slow roller on the ground, she hustled to the bag where the Baylor first baseman failed to handle the easy throw, and Severns made it safe on the error. Three pitches later, she stole second, just beating the tag. This set Penberthy on the plate with a 1-2 count and her teammate in scoring position. Severns' speed got her home before Penberthy rounded first, and the celebration ensued.
True freshman
Annika Hollingsworth was unrattled in the circle by the Power 4 setting and lineup and threw an absolute gem on Sunday. She allowed just one earned run in her complete game win against Baylor. She allowed five scattered hits, struck out three, walked just two, and did it all in 99 pitches. She was named to the All-Tournament Team for her series numbers, which came out to a 2-0 record plus a save, one complete game, a combined 1.62 ERA, zero extra-base hits allowed, and five strikeouts in 13 innings pitched.
Burns, Penberthy, and Severns also received All-Tournament status for the trip. Highlights for the trio include a .571 average for Burns (8-14) and two intentional bases on balls, Penberthy smacked two game-winning hits as she hit .429 in Waco, and Severns combined timely hitting with multiple stolen bases and stellar right field defense.
It was a hugely successful weekend for the Lancers who return home from Texas having won four of five games, including snapping North Texas' 10-game win streak, handling Sam Houston twice, and adding a Power 4 win to their record against the Bears. They now turn their attention to LMU on Wednesday night as the Lancers are scheduled to face the Lions at 6:00 pm in Los Angeles.
