BOX SCORE

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. --- Catcher Kris Cook led off the top of the ninth with a solo home run to break a late tie and give Biola a 3-1 win over Westmont College in a GSAC game Wednesday afternoonat Russ Carr Field in Santa Barbara.

The win is the Eagles fourth straight as they improve to 8-5 on the season and even their GSAC record at 4-4. The Warriors drop to 1-12 overall and 0-9 in conference play.

The game turned out to be an impressive pitcher's dual between Biola starter Josh Baas and Westmont's Kellen Skersies.

Skersies was impressive, going 8-1/3 innings, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out two. However, Baas matched his effort by going seven innings, allowing one unearned run on eight hits and recording six strikeouts.

Biola struck early with a run in the first inning as Adam Yoder opened the game with a double down the leftfield line. He then scored on a sacrifice fly by Scott Nelson.

Westmont tied the game in the bottom of the eighth inning, capitolizing on an error by Biola. John Evans reached on an error to open the inning, then scored on a double by Erik Gaustad.

Cook then led off the top of the ninth with a solo shot to give Biola the lead back. The Eagles would add a huge insurance run thanks to back-to-back doubles by Hawkins Gebbers and Danny Morrow.

The Warriors would not go away quietly, though, as they were able to load the bases with two out, setting the table for Gaustad, who was 3-for-4 entering that at bat. Biola head Coach John Verhoeven summoned freshman Steven Alexander from the bullpen to face the tough righty and Alexander struck him out swinging to end the game.

Greg Matson picked up the win in relief, going 1-2/3 innings, to improve to 3-1 on the season while Alexander picked up his first save.

Skersies took the loss and drops to 0-2 on the season.

Biola faces Westmont again on Thursday (Mar. 1) in the second half of a home-and-home series with the Warriors. First pitch is slated for 2:00 p.m.