BOX SCORE
LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Biola pounded out 13 hits and scored eight runs on one of the GSAC's best pitching staff, earning an 8-3 upset victory over No. 15 Point Loma Nazarene University on Wednesday afternoon on Eagles Diamond.
The Eagles improve to 26-21 on the season with their second straight victory and move to 17-16 in confernce play. The Sea Lions drop to 27-15 and 21-12 in the GSAC.
It was the bottom of the lineup for Biola that did in Point Loma as the Eagles' 7-8-9 hitters were a combined 8-for-12 with three RBIs and seven runs scored. Leading the way was Bobby Slater, who went 3-for-3 with three runs scored with David West going 3-for-4 with two runs scored.
But the big story was the Biola pitching staff--which has struggled at times this year--pitched a masterful game. Derek Dietzen got the start and was outstanding, allowing just one unearned run on four hits over 5-1/3, but did not receive a decision in the game.
His only blemish came in the fourth inning as the Sea Lions scored the first run of the game. Andy Reilly was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and reached second on a Biola error. Four batters later, Drew Bernhard drove in Reilly with an infield single.
Biola struck back with a run in the bottom of the fifth inning as Slater led things off with a double down the left field line and scored on a two-out, RBI-single by Kris Cook.
The Eagles nearly broke the game in that inning as Hawkins Gebbers followed with a single and advanced to second on the throw putting runners at second and third. However, Matt Smith's drive down the left field line was snagged by Point Loma leftfielder Mike Reynolds, who made an amazing diving catch to end the threat.
However, after the Sea Lions threatened by failed to score in the sixth, Biola finally broke the game open with a four spot in the bottom of the frame. The Eagles first five batters of the inning reached with Matt McQueen picking up an RBI-single and Chris Forman recording an RBI on a bases-loaded walk. Biola added two more with sacrifice flies by Danny Morrow and Gebbers to go up 5-1.
Point Loma got one back in the top of the seventh, but the Eagles answered with a three-spot in the bottom of the inning. Biola opened the scoring with a two-run home run to left field and picked up another as Slater scored on a passed ball.
Justin Rodriguez picked up his first win of the season for Biola in relief, allowed just one run on a hit over 1-1/3 innings pitched. He picked up a strike out and ground out to end a Point Loma threat with two on and one out in a 1-1 game in the sixth.
Steven Alexander pitched another 1-1/3 innings, allowing one hit and striking out three while Greg Matson came in to pitch the final inning.
Taylor Cameron suffered the loss, dropping to 6-3 on the year.
The victory was a big for the Eagles as they are trying to lock up a playoff spot. Biola started the day leading a pack of four teams battling for the final two sports in the NAIA Region II playoffs. The Eagles now hold a two-game lead over the rest of the group with three games to go.
Biola and Point Loma square off again on Thursday (Apr. 26) in Biola's final home game of the 2007 season. Game time is set for 3:00 p.m. on Eagles Diamond.
