GAME ONE BOX | GAME TWO BOX

LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Biola University got its 2007 season off to a strong start with a pair of five-inning shutouts over Cal State San Marcos on Tuesday afternoon at Freedom Field in La Mirada.

The Eagles (2-0) won the first game by a score of 9-0 and picked up the victory in the second by a count of 8-0.

The Cougars (1-3), who are playing in their first season as a varsity club, were held to just six hits on the afternoon as Katie Gustaveson, Emily Gray and Tatiana Garcia pitched well in their first action of the year.

Senior centerfielder Amerra Kesterson picked up right where she left off last season, going 4-for-6 on the afternoon with two doubles and a triple. The 2006 NAIA All-American also picked up two RBIs and scored four runs.

Kesterson opened game one with a triple and scored on a San Marcos error. Biola loaded the bases a few minutes later before leftfielder Jacqie Hudson cleared them with a double to straight-away centerfield.

Second baseman Lindsay Nuckolls drove in two more runs in the bottom of the second inning with a two-RBI single.

The Eagles would score their final three runs in the bottom of the third inning as Krista Johnson had a two-RBI single, then scored on a sacrifice fly by shortstop Keena Levert.

That would be more than enough support for Gustaveson, who scattered four hits over five innings, walking three and striking out four.

In the second game, Kesterson again led things off with a double, then scored on a Sarah Jensen single a few pitches later. Nuckolls and Hudson then had run-scoring singles to give the Eagles an early 4-0 lead after one.

In the third inning, Biola stretched the lead to 7-0 thanks to an RBI-single by Lyding followed shortly thereafter by a two-RBI single by Kesterson.

Gray went four innings, allowing just one hit in the first inning and striking out four. Garcia came in for the final inning, recording a pair of strikeouts and allowing just one hit.

Biola returns to action on Saturday as the Eagles host their annual Alumni Game. Festivities begin at 1:00 p.m.