After Cougar softball defeated College of Idaho 7-0 this morning at the SoCal Smash, they faced a tougher test this afternoon - the #3 ranked host school, Cal Baptist - and lost 9-1. 

CSUSM is now 4-3 on the season.

Last season, the Cougars memorably upset then-#1 Cal Baptist at home on senior day, and early on today it looked like we might be headed for a repeat.  CSUSM took a 1-0 lead in the first when Ashley Estepa reached on an error and eventually came around to score on a Lauren Nelson sac fly.

But the lead wouldn't last.  Cougar starting pitcher Ciera Ashman did a good job of holding Cal Baptist's offense down early, but the Lancers' powerful lineup would eventually break through.  They scored two in the third, two in the fourth, and five in the sixth to put the contest out of reach.

The Cougars will be back in action at the tourney tomorrow when they take on Simpson and College of Idaho.