BOX SCORE
LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Luke Iverson hit an RBI-single in the bottom of the 13th inning to propel Vanguard to a 4-3 win over Biola University Saturday afternoon at Eagles Diamond in La Mirada.
The Lions, who improve to 3-2 on the season with an identical conference record, led 8-2 before the second game was suspended due to darkness.
Biola, which suffered its second straight loss, drops to 4-5 overall and 1-4 in GSAC play.
While Iverson had the game-ending RBI, it was Derek Craddock's pitching that kept the Lions alive. Craddock came in relief in the bottom of the 10th inning and allowed just one hit over four innings in earning his first win of the year.
Biola's pitching, which had been struggling mightily in the last week, was impressive overall. Starter Jimmy Johnson allowed just two earned runs on seven hits in 7-2/3 innings, recording eight strikeouts with just one walk.
Steven Alexander and Greg Matson came in relief and didn't allow a run over 1-2/3 and 2 innings pitched, respectively. Charlie Gausepohl drew the loss after allowing the run in the top of the 14th after going 1-2/3 and surrendering just two hits with three strikeouts.
Vanguard got out to a quick lead in the game, scoring a run in the second inning on an RBI-double by Nick Vaughn. In the fourth, the Lions would add another on a deep home run to left field by Matt Voorhies. They would score another in the fifth to take a 3-0 lead as Jason Machado drove in Iverson with a single.
Biola came roaring back in the bottom of the seventh with three runs to tie the game. Kris Cook got things going with a two-RBI single, plating Danny Morrow and Daniel Bodemer. Cook then scored on an RBI-single by Nick Dietzen to tie things up.
The Eagles had numerous chances in extra innings, but were constantly frustrated by Craddock. With runners at second and third in the bottom of the 14th, Craddock threw a blistering fastball by Scott Nelson to end the game.
Biola will resume the suspended game when the two teams meet again at Vanguard on March 31. The Eagles next games are on Saturday (Feb. 24) when they play a GSAC doubleheader at Concordia.
