GAME ONE BOX SCORE | GAME TWO BOX SCORE
KANEOHE, Hawaii --- Biola closed out its Spring Break trip to Hawaii with a pair of thrilling, one-run games, beating Hawaii Pacific University 1-0 in the opener, but falling 3-2 in the nightcap at Sea Warrior Field on Wednesday.
The Eagles, ranked No. 16 in the latest NAIA National poll, wrap up the trip with a 5-1 record and improve to 27-9 on the season. The Sea Warriors, ranked No. 22 in the NCAA Division II polls, move to 25-9 on the year.
Biola took the opener on the strength of an impressive pitching performance by senior Katie Gustaveson and the bat of fellow senior Amerra Kesterson.
Gustaveson tossed a three-hit shutout in game one, striking out five to earn the victory and improve to 13-5 on the season. She has now won her last six starts including going 3-0 in Hawaii. Her numbers in the 50th state are impressive, 19 innings pitched, two runs, 13 hits, 17 strikeouts and 0.74 ERA.
Kesterson provided the offensive spark the Eagles needed with a run-scoring triple in the top of the seventh inning to give Biola its only run of the game. Kesterson, who finished the day going 4-for-5, drove in Brittany Bury, who reached base with a two-out bunt single.
Sherise Musquiz pitched an outstanding game for Hawaii Pacific, allowing just one run on four hits and striking out three. However, she suffered the loss to drop to 11-6 overall.
In game two, Biola jumped out to a 2-0 lead with a pair of runs in the third inning. Kesterson got things going with a bunt single with one out, then stole second and scored on a single by Sarah Jensen. Two batters later, Jensen scored on an RBI-single by Keena Levert.
But the Sea Warriors tied the game with two runs in the bottom of the sixth. Krystal Plunkett led off the frame with a solo home run to right centerfield. That was followed by a Biola error which allowed Nicole Kalakau to reach first. She reached second on a bunt single then got to third on a sacrifice bunt. She then came around to score on a wild pitch, tying the game at 2-2.
In the top of the seventh, it looked as though the Eagles might break the tie as Kesterson drilled a one-out double to centerfield. However, she attempted to stretch that double into a triple and was thrown out.
Hawaii Pacific then got back-to-back singles with one out and loaded the bases with two out after Plunkett was hit by a pitch. Kalakau then ended the game with an RBI-single to right.
Tatiana Garcia suffered her first loss of the season to fall to 4-1. She came in to relieve starter Emily Gray in the sixth inning.
Tajia Acierto earned the win in relief, pitching the seventh inning to improve to 3-0.
Biola had a great time in Hawaii, but some players seemed to enjoy the ocean air a bit more than others. Kesterson was 13-for-19 (.684) on the trip with two doubles, two triples, five RBIs and 10 runs scored. She also set a school record for runs scored in a single game, crossing the plate five times in the Eagles' 21-1 win over Chaminade on Tuesday.
Keena Levert, who was batting .198 coming into the trip, batted .522 in Hawaii (12-for-23) and collected six hits in the 21-1 win. Levert had eight RBI, four runs scored and her first collegiate stolen base in the six games.
Biola returns to the mainland to resume GSAC play, hosting No. 7 Vanguard in a huge doubleheader on Saturday (Apr. 14) at noon.
