Together, the senior duo helped California Baptist University to a 3-1 come-from-behind win over Malone Wednesday night in the second game of Pool B action at the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) World Series.
The win gives the Lancers' their third straight 40-win campaign as they improve to 40-12 overall and 2-0 in pool play.
Malone falls to 31-22 overall and 0-2 in pool play.
"This was the exact same formula as earlier today," said CBU Head Coach Gary Adcock. "It was quality pitching, teammates picking each other up, some luck and clutch hitting late."
Smith went the distance, the Lancers' second complete-game of the day. He scattered five hits, just two after the first inning when Malone strung to together three hits to take a 1-0 lead.
It stayed that way until the bottom of the sixth inning when Kevin Odom and Matt Marnati drew back-to-back walks to lead off the frame. Blair Moore then hit a game-tying single up the middle.
After Alex Haines (3-4) struck out Matt Daugherty and Andy Crowley, Bullard laced an RBI single to center that scored Marnati, and after Adam Heideman misplayed it, Moore scored all the way from first to give the Lancers a 3-1 lead.
Haines had carried a three-hit shutout into the sixth inning before the Lancers struck.
"You try not to panic, which is easier said than done in this setting," said Adcock, referring to the Lancers' early struggles against Haines. "Haines did a good job. We were swinging and missing. He gave us a couple of free bases late, and good teams take advantage of opportunities and we took advantage."
Malone threatened in the seventh, getting the first two on with a walk and a fielder's choice error, but Smith got Kyle Sprague to line into a double play to center field as Crowley caught Michael Chack too far off second. Smith got Sam Craciun to ground out to Moore at third to end the game.
Bullard finished 2 for 3. Smith had four strikeouts.


