GAME ONE BOX SCORE | GAME TWO BOX SCORE
SAN MARCOS, Calif. --- Sophomore Keena Levert blasted a grand slam with two out in the top of the seventh inning to propel Biola to a 5-4 win over Cal State San Marcos in game one of a non-conference doubleheader Saturday at Mission Hills High School in San Marcos.
The Eagles cruised to an easy 11-1 win in five innings in the nightcap to improve to 21-7 overall while the Cougars fall to 6-22.
While Levert had the big hit of the day it was senior centerfielder Amerra Kesterson who was the most consistant hitter, going 7-for-8 overall. Kesterson, who was a perfect 4-for-4 in game two, had a double, triple, home run, three runs scored and three RBIs for Biola.
Biola found itself in trouble early in game one against the upset-minded Cougars. San Marcos got on the board first with an RBI-single by Tasha Stokes in the first inning. Holly Russell gave San Marcos its second run with a one-out triple in the third, then scored two batters later on a single by Elizabeth Bush.
The Eagles got a run back in the top of the fifth thanks to an RBI-triple by Kesterson, scoring Erin DaSilva, who led the inning off with a single.
The Cougars would add another in the bottom of the sixth as Leilani Madrigal tripled to leftfield.
Trailing 4-1 and down to their final out, the Eagles quickly loaded the bases as Kesterson, Sarah Jensen and Linsday Nuckolls each hit singles, setting the table for Levert's heroics.
Katie Gustaveson then closed out the game in the seventh to go to 9-5 on the season. Gustaveson had a tough outing, allowing four earned on 10 hits, but did strike out eight on the day.
Biola didn't wait to get on the board in the nightcap, scoring seven runs in the top of the first. Jacqie Hudson had the big blast in the inning with a two-run triple, then scored on a wild pitch.
The Eagles would add two more in the second on a run-scoring triple by Krista Johnson, and was then driven home by a sacrifice fly by Kacie Lyding.
Kesterson picked up her second home run of the season with a shot to right-centerfield with one out in the third. Biola capped the scoring in the fifth on a sacrifice fly by Jensen.
Emily Gray pitched three strong innings to improve to 8-2 on the season. Tatiana Garcia came in to close things out, allowing just one hit over the final two innings.
Biola retuns to GSAC play on Tuesday (Apr. 2) with a doubleheader against No. 1 Cal Baptist. Game time is set for 2:00 p.m.
