By Neil Morgan, CBU Sports Information Graduate Intern

RIVERSIDE, Calif. --- Some students use summer break to work at internships, prepare for classes or just spend time socializing. For former California Baptist University standouts Emma Holden and Lindsay Henry this summer was all about softball.

Holden and Henry finished their careers at CBU as two of the most decorated athletes in the history of the program. Their success here helped them earn opportunities to play in two top softball leagues in Europe.

Holden spent the summer playing for the Gryphons in the Hoofdklasse Softbal league in the Netherlands. She went 10-9 in 24 appearances as the team's number one starter. Holden, the Lancers' all-time strikeout leader, picked up 98 k's in 112.1 innings pitched and had a 3.18 ERA.

The Gryphons finished the season in a three way tie for fourth place in the HSL, the top class in Holland, sneaking into the playoffs with two clutch tiebreaking wins on Sunday. Holden pitched all 16 innings in her team's two extra-inning wins. The Gryphons open the playoffs on Saturday.

Henry played for La Loggia softball club of the Italian Softball League, where she hit .125 in nine games played. She scored two runs, and knocked in one RBI. The team finished 20-12, second place in the ISL. They lost to Sanotine Bollate SC ASD in the opening round of the playoffs.

Henry is now back with the Lancers serving as an assistant coach.

The Dutch and Italian leagues are two of the top divisions in Europe.

Holden also had an opportunity to play in the annual European Cup, which featured teams from Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Russia, Ukraine, Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic. She was a pick up player for the Belgian team, the Royal Greys. Holden earned a 2-1 win against Russia and got a 3-2 loss against Ukraine, all three runs were unearned.