BOX SCORE
LA MIRADA, Calif. — Junior Chad Pace drove in the game-winning run the hard way, being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and two out in the bottom of the ninth, to complete a three-run comeback as No. 17 Biola knocked off No. 12 Fresno Pacific 4-3 on Tuesday afternoon in a GSAC game at Eagles Diamond.
The game was the regular-season finale for both teams with Biola snapping a season-long four-game losing streak to improve to 34-16 on the season. The Eagles also finish third in the GSAC with a record of 23-13. The Sunbirds fall to 34-12 and take second with a 26-10 record in conference play. Both teams advance to the NAIA Region II Tournament which begins on Tuesday (May 6) at Azusa Pacific University.
Biola got the ninth-inning rally started on a fielding error by the Sunbirds shortstop on a ball hit by David West to start the inning. With one out, pinch hitter Gil Banwart singled through the left side to keep the rally going. After a strikeout, junior Nick Rotkowitz lined a 1-2 pitch to left centerfield to drive home West, and bring on FPU closer Brodie.
However, Brodie could not get the final out as junior Hawkins Gebbers singled through the left side to bring Banwart home and tie the game at 3-3. Senior Kris Cook then drew a walk to load the bases and Pace was hit in the leg with a 2-2 offering from Brodie to drive home the winning run.
Biola trailed 3-1 heading into the top of the ninth inning and it appeared Fresno Pacific would tack on more, loading the bases with one out. However, junior pitcher Tim Nolan came on and got the first out before recording an unorthodox doubleplay to swing the momentum in Biola's favor heading to the bottom of the ninth. Pinch hitter Case Rigby lifted a deep fly to centerfield which was caught by Chris Foreman. Foreman then threw a strike into third to catch Andrew Douglas tagging from second. Third baseman Brent Chavez laid down a quick tag before the runner from third could touch home, ending the inning and saving a run.
Rotkowitz also matched a school record in the game as he recorded a one-out hit in the fourth to extend his hitting streak to 24 games. That matches the record set in 1982 by Randy Brouwer. Rotkowitz finished 2-for-5 in the game with two runs scored and an RBI. Foreman and Gebbers both went 3-for-5 in the game as Biola's 1-2-3 hitters combined to go 8-for-15.
Fresno Pacific got on the board first as Josh Jackson hit a two-out solo home run in the top of the first inning. The Sunbirds added another in the fourth as three-straight one-out singles loaded the bases. Biola starter Brian Albert then walked in the second run before getting a pair of ground outs to end the threat.
Biola got one back in the bottom of the fourth thanks to a two-out RBI single by Pace to drive in Rotkowitz.
Fresno extended the lead to two runs in the eighth as Anthony Lowell hit a double, stole third and scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Mitch Mulligan.
Nolan picked up his first win of the season to improve to 1-0 while Jon Steele was saddled with his first loss and falls to 0-1.
Both starters were outstanding in the game as Albert allowed just two runs on seven hits while striking out four over seven innings. Fresno Pacific's Jacob Burns gave up one run on six hits with five strikeouts through six innings.
Biola will likely be the No. 3 seed in the upcoming NAIA Region II Tournament which will be played May 6-9 at Azusa Pacific. Fresno Pacific should be the No. 2 seed in the tournament as the Sunbirds will be making their first trip to the regional tournament. The two teams split the season-series and could face off in a second round game provided each team wins their respective first-round games.
