GAME ONE BOX SCORE | GAME TWO BOX SCORE
LA MIRADA, Calif. — Krista Johnson recorded five hits in eight at-bats including a walk-off double to lead Biola to a non-conference doubleheader sweep over MidAmerica Nazarene University on Monday afternoon at Freedom Field in La Mirada.
The Eagles easily cruised to a 9-1 win in six innings in game one then scored one in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game and another in the bottom of the seventh for a come-from-behind 3-2 win in the nightcap. Biola improves to 10-12 on the season with its third-straight win while the Pioneers fall to 3-10.
Biola played small ball to get on the board with a run in the second. Johnson singled to first to lead off the inning and followed that by stealing second. Morgan Facchini then sacrificed her to third and she came around to score on a two-out single by Erin DaSilva.
MidAmerica tied the game with a run in the top of the third on an RBI-triple by Kassy Cole.
The Eagles then responded with three runs in the bottom of the fourth thanks to a costly Pioneer error. With one out and the bases loaded, the shortstop misplayed an easy grounder allowing a run to score and keeping the bases loaded. After a groundout made it two outs in the inning, Sara Smith then followed with a two-RBI single up the middle to make it 4-1.
Biola would add another run in the fifth on a sacrifice fly by Erin DaSilva to score Jacqie Hudson.
The Eagles would end the game with four in the bottom of the sixth. Erika Moyer scored the first run on a wild pitch, then Sarah Jensen plated Lauren Gandy with an RBI-single to make it 7-1. Hudson then drove in Jensen with a double to deep center and scored the game-ending run on a single down the rightfield line by DaSilva.
Lyndsie Roberts picked up the win to improve to 5-1 on the season. She allowed just one run on five hits over six innings, surrendering two walks while striking out six on the day.
In the second game, the Eagles picked up their first run in the bottom of the third. Smith opened the frame with a single up the middle, was sacrificed to second, then scored on a double by Krista Johnson.
MidAmerica battled back to take the lead with a pair of runs in the top of the sixth. With one out Jara Mori drew a walk followed by a single by Sylina Santell. After the pair was sacrificed ahead a base, Kim Russell singled through the left side to tie the game. Russell and Santell then pulled off a double steal to give MidAmerica its second run.
However, Biola wasted little time tying the game with more small ball. Kacie Lyding hit a single to left to lead of the inning, then was sacrificed to second and again to third. Then Moyer drove her home with a double to right centerfield to tie the game at 2-2.
After fending off a Pioneer rally in the top of the seventh, the Eagles won the game in the bottom of the inning. With one out, Sarah Jensen reached first on catcher's interference, got to second on a groundout by Hudson. Johnson, Biola's leading hitter, then drove home Jensen with a double down the leftfield line to send the Biola fans home happy.
Kristen Larson picked up the win in relief to improve to 1-2 on the season. Larson pitched the seventh inning in relief of starter Erica Moyer, who went six innings and allowed just two runs on five hits while striking out 10.
Johnson finished the day going 5-for-8 with two doubles, two RBIs, and a run scored. She improves her team-best batting average to .439 on the year. Lyding and DaSilva each collected three hits in five at-bats to aid the Biola cause.
Biola returns to conference play on Tuesday (Mar. 18) hosting Azusa Pacific University at 2:00 p.m. at Freedom Field.
