Lancers fall in extra innings to nationally-ranked foe

Posted Mar 16, 2010 by Adam Adkins

Updated Mar 16, 2010 at 10:48 PM

Cambridge Christian’s baseball team gave nationally-ranked Charlotte (N.C.) Christian all it could handle Tuesday night in the opener of the 2010 Westminster Sunshine Classic in Fort Lauderdale.

But when the game finally ended - after nine innings - the Lancers walked off the field with their second loss of the season after falling 10-6.

The two teams, which met in the tournament championship last year, were tied at 6 after eight innings. Lancers coach Rick Shears said the bases were loaded with no outs for each team in the ninth, per tourney rules, and Charlotte Christian managed to push four runs across.

Cambridge Christian right-hander Peter Miller had a big game on the mound, striking out 10 and walking just one in four scoreless innings of relief. Shears said there were 15 MLB scouts in attendance.

Hayden Kelley led the Lancers offense with two hits, including a key RBI double.

Cambridge Christian could get another crack at Charlotte Christian, ranked No. 25 in the latest Collegiate Baseball Newspaper Easton Sports National Poll and No. 28 in the latest ESPN RISE Fab 50. If both the Lancers and Charlotte Christian win each of their next two games, the two teams would meet for the tournament championship.