The Cougars played game two of three in Riverside, CA, tonight after dropping game one of their series against the California Baptist University Lancers last night, 4-0. The Cougars would lead late in tonight's game, but ultimately fell again to the 6^th ranked Lancers 5-4 in the bottom of the 9^th. The loss brings the Cougars record to 2-4 on the season, while the Lancers jumped to 4-1.
 
The Cougars started the game hot, taking advantage of a pair of early Lancer errors in the top of the second inning. Scotty Wright had another strong game at the plate, going 3-4 with two RBI's and one run, and claimed the only multi-hit game for the Cougars. His bat and his advantages base running accounted for the first score of the game. Wright took second after a poor throw from the CBU left fielder, and then took advantage of an errant throw by the shortstop to turn through third for the Cougars first run of the game off a Luke Bote single to left field. Bote would go onto to score when the next batter, Alex Ginn, singled up the middle.
 
CCU would tack onto their lead in the third inning with Jerry Gallegos and Cooper Gray on second and third, when Scotty Wright ripped a triple that flew over the center fielders head. That hit brought the Cougars lead up to 4-0 with all the momentum and then some on their side.
 
Colorado Christian's starting pitcher, Joey Loranger, was making his second start of the year. Joey was already in great form early this season after tossing five innings against Tabor College, striking out nine and allowing just two hits and no earned runs. Loranger continued his stellar start to the season by rolling through Cal Baptists highly touted hitters for six no-hit innings to start the game.
 
Loranger's unspeakable run would come to an end in the 7^th inning when CBU opened-up the inning with a single that dropped into shallow center field. That hit was followed by the only home run of the night, which cut the Cougars lead to 4-2. Loranger would rally and finish out the 7^th inning before his night would come to an end.
 
Junior Alex Ginn came in to relieve Loranger in the 8^th and did his job flawlessly. Ginn would strike out the side on just 12 pitches, and let his exhilaration show for the whole stadium to see.
 
CCU would not score, and left one runner on base in the top of the ninth, but their 4-2 lead was still intact, and cautious optimism began to creep in. Ginn would come back out in the bottom of the ninth looking to close out what would be a six out save. The Lancers first two batters in the inning both singled, and with that, Ginn's night was over. Cougar coaches opted to go with sophomore right hander Jared Rivera to finish the game.
 
Rivera's first task was to face the Lancers Ryan Mota whose power potential is off the charts. It took six pitches, but Rivera got him to strike out swinging. One out, runners on first and second.
 
The next batter didn't take quite as long, flying out to center fielder Jerry Gallegos on the second pitch he saw. Two outs, runners on first and second.
 
Next, the Lancers brought in a pinch hitter who would eventually single to centerfield, dropping a fly ball just shallow enough that Gallegos couldn't quite cover all the ground needed, but saved extra bases by blocking the ball from getting behind him. The hit plated one run to bring the score to 4-3, Cougars. Two outs, runners on first and third.
 
Before the next batter made his mark, a failed pick-off attempt at first would allow another Lancer run to score, tying the game 4-4. Two outs, runner on second.
 
Again, before the Lancer batter even came into play, a wild pitch would advance the potential winning run another bag. Two outs, runner on third, tie ball game.
 
Finally, Rivera faced off with the CBU batter who had been waiting for his chance. After working the count to 2-2, it happened. The right-handed hitter smacked a fly ball shallow to the opposite field. Right fielder Luke Bote, who had already had a busy night in the outfield, began sprinting in to make a play on the hit. As Bote was sprinting and the ball was dropping, Bote laid out to make try to make the catch, but ultimately came up half a step short and the ball bounced off the turf. Two outs, single to right field, game over. Lancers win 5-4.
 
The Cougars will take to the field for one more shot to knock off the 6^th ranker Lancers tomorrow afternoon. Game time is scheduled for 12:00 pm PST, 1:00 MST.