COSTA MESA, Calif. --- Biola pounded out 11 hits and took advantage of a number of miscues en route to an 8-3 victory over Vanguard University in a GSAC game on Thursday afternoon.

The Eagles improve to 3-8 on the season and to 1-2 in conference play, snapping a three-game losing streak with the win. The loss drops the Lions to 1-5 overall and are still winless at 0-3 in the GSAC.

Pinch hitter Gil Banwart broke a 3-3 tie with a sacrifice fly in the top of the seventh inning and Biola went on to add four more runs over the final three innings to pull out the victory.

The Eagles had jumped out to an early lead on the strength of a two run home run by Chad Pace in the second and a two-out RBI single by Taylor Loop in the fourth. However, Vanguard was able to tie the score with two runs in the fourth and another in the fifth.

But Biola took back the lead in a big way with three runs in the top of the seventh, capped by Banwart's pinch-hit, bases-loaded sacrifice fly. That was followed by RBI-singles from Chris Foreman and Vinnie Fayard to stretch the lead up to 6-3. 

After a masterful job by the bullpen in the seventh and eighth innings, the Eagles added a pair of runs on a solo home-run by Chris Foreman and an unearned run scored by Fayard.

The Eagles were finally able to get a winning combination of timely hitting and strong pitching which had been rare through the first 10 games of the season. The pitching was especially impressive on the afternoon. Biola starter Nate Coronado allowed just two earned runs on six hits, striking out seven over 5-2/3 innings. 

Coronado did not get a decision in the game, that honor went to the first of four relief pitchers Charlie Gausepohl. The senior retired all four batters he faced and the remaining three pitchers allowed just one batter to reach over the final 3-1/3 innings.

Foreman, who had been struggling from the plate through the first 10 games, finished the day going 3-for-5 with a home run and two RBIs. Fayard continued his hot play as of late with a 3-for-4 performance which including an RBI and a run scored. 

The Eagles return to action on Saturday (Feb. 21), hosting The MAster's College in a GSAC doubleheader. First pitch is slated for 11:00 a.m.