RIVERSIDE, Calif. – What was supposed to be a premier match-up between a pair of NAIA Top 15-ranked teams turned into a debilitating set of defeats for No. 11-ranked Azusa Pacific.
Cal Baptist, ranked No. 8 in the NAIA its highest ranking in program history, steamrolled Azusa Pacific into submission with a pair of mercy-ruled games, crushing the Cougars 8-0 and 9-0. Not only did the Lancers record their first-ever shutout sweep of the GSAC's all-time winningest program, they also stifled the GSAC's top-hitting team, limiting Azusa Pacific to just 1 hit over 10 innings of play.
In the opening game, Lancer pitcher Amanda Xavier fired a no-hitter, and freshman Candice Thomas tossed a 1-hittter in the nightcap. Xavier allowed just 3 base runners in her 5-inning effort, walking a Cougar and hitting another with a pitch, while the third reached on an error.
Xavier got all the support she needed with a single run in the first inning, but a 7-run second blew the game open. With 1 out, the Lancers strung together 8 hits, including 3 doubles. Freshman Geanie Jenkins capped the effort with a 2-run double.
In the second game, Cal Baptist used 5 hits in the second inning to jump out to a 4-0 lead. Then in the third, they parlayed a Jessi Boicelli throwing error into 5 unearned runs and a 9-0 cushion. The Cougars had no answer for the Cal Baptist firepower. Freshman Justine Barnett's 1-out single in the first inning was Azusa Pacific's only safety of the day. Thomas didn't allow a Cougar to reach second base and struck out 5 in her 5 innings of work.
The Cougars were handicapped from the opening pitch of the day. All-American and 2003 GSAC co-Player of the Year Rachel Alkire was on the shelf with an injured shoulder, and likewise her twin, Megan Alkire was unable to pitch as well because of an injury, though she did bat in both games. As a result, junior Nicole Hendrix had to pitch in both games, and the Cougars had to lean on the freshman Boicelli, who just started pitching on the college level 2 weeks ago.
The sweep of Azusa Pacific is only the fifth ever for Cal Baptist in the 18-year history of the rivalry. With the double setback, Azusa Pacific falls to 25-11 overall, 8-6 in the GSAC. Meanwhile, Cal Baptist improves to 27-8 overall, 11-4 in the GSAC,
