GAME BOX

AZUSA, Calif. --- Hawkins Gebbers drove in three runs including the game-winning RBI with a single in the bottom of the eighth inning to give Biola its first lead of the game and a 5-4 win over Patten University in the NAIA Region II baseball tournament Tuesday afternoon at Cougar Field in Azusa.

Biola, the No. 5 seed in the regional, improves to 29-23 on the season and advances to the next round of the tournament with the win. The Eagles will play No. 2 Cal Baptist at 2:15 p.m. on Wednesday (May 9) in a rematch of the first round game on Friday. Patten ends its season at 25-26.

Both teams had numerous chances to score as there was just one half inning in which a team did not have a runner left on base. Overall, Biola left 12 on while the Lions left 13 on base.

However, it was Patten that would draw first blood, as Joseph Jennings picked up an RBI on a groundout in the top of the first to give the Lions a 1-0 lead.

Biola got that run back in the bottom of the second as David West led off the inning with a double to right, then scored on a single by Scott Nelson. It was the first of three consecutive doubles for West, who finished the day going 3-for-5 with a run scored.

In the third, Patten's Brett Korporaal led the frame off with a home run to right. The Lions threatened later in the inning with runners at first and second with no one out, but were unable to do any more damage.

The Lions would go up 3-1 with another run in the top of the fifth and DuJuan Johnson drove home David Lievanos with a run-scoring single. That would be the final pitch from Derek Dietzen, who went 4-1/3 innings, allowing three runs on six hits. The first pitch by reliever Tom Glassman with runners on the corners was hit to second to start an inning-ending double play.

Biola tied the game up in the bottom of the frame, though, as Gebbers hit a two-run home run to deep right field, his ninth of the year.

However, the game did not stay tied for long as Patten catcher Chris Brigham drilled a homer into right field to put the Lions back on top.

Despite a number of chances, Biola was unable to score anyone until the bottom of the eighth inning. Danny Morrow led the frame off with a single to right, then was sacrificed to second by pinch-hitter Alex Miranda. After a flyout, Slater drew a two-out walk which was followed by a single to right by Cook to plate Morrow and tie the game.

Gebbers then followed with a single up the middle which scored Slater as the throw by the centerfielder Oscar Ochoa had him beat, but was up the line. West then followed with a shot down the first base line which Patten first baseman Joseph Jennings made a great stop and robbing West of a potential school-record fourth double of the game.

In the top of the ninth, senior closer Greg Matson made things interesting, walking the leadoff hitter and giving up an infield single on a sacrifice bunt attempt. However, he was able to strikeout Brigham looking for the first out, then picked Kent Morrison off first for the second out. He then closed the game out by striking out pinch-hitter Clint Bartizal to earn his fourth save of the season.

Justin Rodriguez (2-0) picked up the win in relief, recording the final two outs as Patten threatened in the top of the eighth.

The Biola season continues at least one more day as the Eagles will need a victory on Wednesday (May 9) to keep things going. Biola split with Cal Baptist, though the Eagle victories came early in the season. The Lancers dropped Biola into the loser's bracket with a 4-1 victory on Friday night in the Regional's first round, but lost 11-2 to Concordia on Tuesday.