BOX SCORE
RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Cal Baptist pitcher Steve Goins scattered seven hits and pitched eight shutout innings as the Lancers defeated Biola 7-0 in a GSAC game on Thursday afternoon at Totman Stadium in Riverside.
The two teams split the season series with each winning on its home field. Despite falling to 26-12 on the season, the Eagles do remain a game ahead of the Lancers in the GSAC standings with a 16-10 record. Cal Baptist improves to 26-14 and 15-11 in conference action.
While Goins was busy tossing up zeros on the scoreboard, Biola starter Tavish O'Keefe was just struggling to find the plate. The freshman, who has been pressed into starting service the last two weeks, surrendered seven walks in just three innings. O'Keefe did allow just three hits to the potent Lancer lineup, but two inparticular proved costly.
In the bottom of the first inning, the Lancers drew back-to-back walks to start the game. Zach Aguirre followed that with a three-run home run to put Cal Baptist on the board. Despite walking the next two batters, O'Keefe was able to get a fly out and double play to end the threat.
In the third, the Lancers had runners at second and third with one out when O'Keefe was able to strike out Eddie Quevedo for the second out. However, Drake Fages drove home the two runs with a single up the middle to make it 5-0.
Cal Baptist would close out the scoring with a two-run home run by Robert Lundy in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Meanwhile, Biola was having trouble stringing together hits off Goins. The Eagles were able to get a hit in eight of the nine innings, but were unable to advance a runner past second in the game.
One of the bright spots in the contest was Biola freshman Kyle Atkins, who was making his third appearance of the season, allowed just three hits over four shutout innings in relief of O'Keefe.
In addition to the loss, Biola's Hawkins Gebbers saw his 22-game hitting streak come to an end as he went 0-for-4 on the day. Gebbers' streak was the longest since 2002 and two short of the school record of 24 set duing the 1982 season.
Biola returns home to begin a four-game homestand on Saturday (Apr. 12), hosting GSAC foe he Master's College in what will be a key conference doubleheader at Eagles Diamond. First pitch is scheduled for Noon.
