May 18, 2009

DECATUR, Ala. - California Baptist University made quick work of their first round game in bracket play with a 9-1 win over Martin Methodist (Tenn.) College.  California Baptist scored four runs in the first and three more in the second to put the game out of reach early.

California Baptist, ranked No. 1 in the NAIA and the tournament's top seed, improved to 58-5 on the season.  Ashley Boyd led the way for the Lancers, going 3-for-4, including her 15^th homer of the season.  Nicole Shoemaker was 3-for-3 with two RBI, while Nina Cabrales drove in a team high three runs.  Melanie Ahumada (16-3) tossed six innings, allowing just the one run on four hits with seven strikeouts.

Martin Methodist (43-12) got their lone RBI from Brooke Kelley when her single scored Sally Gale in the third inning. 

California Baptist will play fellow conference foe Point Loma Nazarene (Calif.) University at 1:30 p.m. on Monday.  Martin Methodist drops to the loser's bracket where they will face Notre Dame (Ohio) College at 1:30 p.m. on Monday.

-NAIA-