Biola split a pair of high-scoring, non-conference games at the Cal State San Marcos Cougar Clash on Thursday, defeating the University of British Columbia 10-8 after losing 7-6 in 8 innings to Dickinson State University (N.D.).
The Eagles, who wrap up the day with an 11-9 overall record, pounded out 23 hits and scored 16 runs on the day, but were only able to come away with one victory.
In the second game of the day, Biola got off to a quick start with four runs in the first against the Thunderbirds. Jillian Storm and Lauren Gandy recorded bunt basehits to lead off the inning, followed by a runs-scoring double by Cece Luster to break the ice. Lyndsie Roberts followed that with a three-run blast to right to put Biola up 4-0 early.
The Eagles, who wrap up the day with an 11-9 overall record, pounded out 23 hits and scored 16 runs on the day, but were only able to come away with one victory.
In the second game of the day, Biola got off to a quick start with four runs in the first against the Thunderbirds. Jillian Storm and Lauren Gandy recorded bunt basehits to lead off the inning, followed by a runs-scoring double by Cece Luster to break the ice. Lyndsie Roberts followed that with a three-run blast to right to put Biola up 4-0 early.
UBC got one run back in the bottom of the inning and jumped back in front in the third by scoring five unearned runs. With two out and runners at first and second, an error at short opened the flood gate. Two batters and two runs later a double to right center cleared the bases and gave the Thunderbirds 6-4 lead.
Biola scored once in the top of the fourth as Gandy tripled home a run, then went back on top with a five-spot of its own in the fifth. Luster led off the frame with a solo home run to centerfield to tie the score. With two out and one more run in, the Eagles loaded the bases for Storm, who scored one more with a single, followed by a two-run single by Gandy to plate two more.
Things got interesting down the stretch as UBC scored twice in the bottom of the sixth and had the tying run at the plate with one out in the seventh. The Thunderbirds attempted to score after an error in center, but the Eagles were able to gun down the runner at the plate for the second out. Luster, who came on for the save in the top of the seventh, was able to get a strikeout for the final out of the game.
Storm and Gandy each went 3-for-5 in the game, each scoring once and driving in two. Lyndsie Roberts was 2-for-3 with three RBIs and Luster went 2-for-5 with two runs scored and two driven in.
Kristin Larson picked up the win in relief, allowing just one earned run over 3-1/3 innings of relief to improve to 1-3. Luster picked up her first save of the year.
The first game of the day was a close one throughout. Dickinson State opened the scoring with two in the top of the first inning, benefiting from a pair of walks including one with the bases loaded to force home the first run.
Biola took advantage of sloppy defense to score an unearned run in the first and added another in the second to tie the game at 2-2.
The Blue Hawks took back the lead in the fourth with a pair of runs. But the Eagles responded with two in the bottom of the fifth as Luster doubled in Storm and Gandy to tie the game.
For the second-straight game, seven innings was not enough to determine a winner. In Dickinson State's half of the eighth, the Blue Hawks picked up two quick runs on a triple by the No. 9 hitter and added another on an infield single to go up 7-4.
Looking to carry over a little magic from their four-run, extra-inning comeback the day before, the Eagles started to rally with two out. With runners at second and third and two down, Chelsea Limm singled home a run and an error on a hit by Storm allowed a second to score and putting the tying run on base. But Dickinson worked out of the jam by getting a ground out to end the game.
The Blue Hawks were able to win despite committing seven errors in the contest. Luster suffered the loss, falling to 4-3 on the season. She did record two hits in four at-bats to finish the day by going 4-for-9 and driving in five runs.
Biola continues its busy stretch of eight games in four days on Friday, hosting a non-conference doubleheader against Concordia University of Illinois beginning at 1:00 pm at Freedom Field
The Blue Hawks were able to win despite committing seven errors in the contest. Luster suffered the loss, falling to 4-3 on the season. She did record two hits in four at-bats to finish the day by going 4-for-9 and driving in five runs.
Biola continues its busy stretch of eight games in four days on Friday, hosting a non-conference doubleheader against Concordia University of Illinois beginning at 1:00 pm at Freedom Field