RIVERSIDE, Calif. --- If No. 1 California Baptist University made its opening arguments yesterday, the Lancers wasted no time delivering their closing statement in the first round of the GSAC Postseason Tournament Wednesday.
CBU handed Vanguard an 8-0 loss, ending the Lions’ season and propelling the Lancers to a third-straight GSAC Championship series. It was the second-straight five-inning victory the Lancers had recorded against Vanguard, as CBU sweeps the best-of-three series, 2-0.
“These were two statement games for our girls after we lost one at their place last time we met,” said Head Coach Mike Smith. “We came ready to play for this tournament. Whoever we play next will be a good series, but we’re ready for them. Every game from here on out is the postseason and getting us closer to our goal.”
Vanguard starter Stacie Salazar was able to keep the Lancer bats quiet for one inning before the onslaught began. CBU scored in all four of the final innings, ending the game with three runs in the fifth.
Kendall Gorham got the scoring started with a blast to center field, helping the Lancers jump out to a 2-0 lead. It was the junior’s team-leading 16th homer of the season.
Nicole Shoemaker added a solo-shot in the fourth and Briana Corral would single in a run later in the inning, giving CBU a 5-0 lead heading into the fifth.
After two runs scored on a single by Starr White and an error on Adriana Venezia in left field, the Lancers had two runners on with two outs. Tina Galinato then put the finishing touches on the quick victory, ending the game with a double that short-hopped the wall in left-center.
“As a team I feel like we have been more relaxed at the plate lately,” said Shoemaker, who has two of her three home runs this season in the last two games. “I have been feeling great now that school is over and we are in the postseason. We are very focused on not only a GSAC Championship, but a National Championship.”
Not to be outdone by her offensive counterparts, Tory Ferreira threw all five innings for CBU, picking up her 17th win of the season to move to 17-2. Ferreira scattered four hits, striking out four batters, without giving up a walk. She induced nine groundouts.
“This game was especially important to me because I was pitching when we lost to them last time,” said Ferreira. “It was redemption for our team and it was also great to come out here and end this series quickly.”
The Lancers move to 57-3 on the season, while Vanguard ends its year at 26-32. The Lions came into play as one of just three teams to beat CBU this season, entering the postseason as the fifth-seed in the conference tournament.
The Lancers will square off with either No. 8 Azusa Pacific or No. 10 Concordia, the second and third-seeds in the conference. The championship series begins Thursday at 5 and 7 p.m. If necessary, a third game will be played Friday at 2 p.m.
The Lancers went 3-1 against APU this year and swept Concordia, 4-0.
CBU handed Vanguard an 8-0 loss, ending the Lions’ season and propelling the Lancers to a third-straight GSAC Championship series. It was the second-straight five-inning victory the Lancers had recorded against Vanguard, as CBU sweeps the best-of-three series, 2-0.
“These were two statement games for our girls after we lost one at their place last time we met,” said Head Coach Mike Smith. “We came ready to play for this tournament. Whoever we play next will be a good series, but we’re ready for them. Every game from here on out is the postseason and getting us closer to our goal.”
Vanguard starter Stacie Salazar was able to keep the Lancer bats quiet for one inning before the onslaught began. CBU scored in all four of the final innings, ending the game with three runs in the fifth.
Kendall Gorham got the scoring started with a blast to center field, helping the Lancers jump out to a 2-0 lead. It was the junior’s team-leading 16th homer of the season.
Nicole Shoemaker added a solo-shot in the fourth and Briana Corral would single in a run later in the inning, giving CBU a 5-0 lead heading into the fifth.
After two runs scored on a single by Starr White and an error on Adriana Venezia in left field, the Lancers had two runners on with two outs. Tina Galinato then put the finishing touches on the quick victory, ending the game with a double that short-hopped the wall in left-center.
“As a team I feel like we have been more relaxed at the plate lately,” said Shoemaker, who has two of her three home runs this season in the last two games. “I have been feeling great now that school is over and we are in the postseason. We are very focused on not only a GSAC Championship, but a National Championship.”
Not to be outdone by her offensive counterparts, Tory Ferreira threw all five innings for CBU, picking up her 17th win of the season to move to 17-2. Ferreira scattered four hits, striking out four batters, without giving up a walk. She induced nine groundouts.
“This game was especially important to me because I was pitching when we lost to them last time,” said Ferreira. “It was redemption for our team and it was also great to come out here and end this series quickly.”
The Lancers move to 57-3 on the season, while Vanguard ends its year at 26-32. The Lions came into play as one of just three teams to beat CBU this season, entering the postseason as the fifth-seed in the conference tournament.
The Lancers will square off with either No. 8 Azusa Pacific or No. 10 Concordia, the second and third-seeds in the conference. The championship series begins Thursday at 5 and 7 p.m. If necessary, a third game will be played Friday at 2 p.m.
The Lancers went 3-1 against APU this year and swept Concordia, 4-0.
