LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Senior David West's pinch-hit triple keyed a three-run eighth inning which proved to be important insurance runs as Biola held on for a 4-2 non-conference win over the University of La Verne on Tuesday afternoon on Eagles Diamond.

The Eagles improve to 5-9 on the season with the victory, having won three of their last four games. They drop the Leopards to 3-6 overall.

Biola stuck first as, with runners on first and second, junior Taylor Loop delivered a two out single into right center field in the bottom of the first. The base hit plated freshman Vinnie Fayard, who drew a one out walk.

From there, both teams were held in check as Biola starter Bobby O'Neill held the Leopards to three hits through six and a third while striking out three without allowing a run.

The Leopards used a unique strategy, starting their designated hitter Victor Peinado on the hill but pulling him after just one inning. However, with Biola already leading 1-0, reliever Willie Patti came on and held the Eagles scoreless over the next six innings. 

In the eighth, Patti faced his final batter, exiting the game after beaning Chris Foreman to start the inning. Biola took advantage and jumped on the next reliever, Grant Wheatley as West scorched an RBI-triple down the right field line to score Foreman. Senior Nick Rotkowitz then cashed in West with a single through the drawn in infield. After a walk and a fielders choice, Rotkowitz was on third with just one out, setting up a RBI sacrifice fly by senior Brent Chavez giving Biola a 4-0 lead heading into the ninth.

But the Leopards did not go away quietly. With two out and a runner at first, pinch hitter Mike Surina drove home the first run of the game for the visitors with an RBI-double which made it 4-1. After another pinch-hit single put runners at the corners, the third pinch hitter of the inning--Matt Ayres--drove home the second run with a single up the middle off new reliever Steven Alexander. But Alexander finally closed the door with a big strikeout of Sergio Munoz, to end the game. 

Alexander earned his first save of the season while O'Neill picked up his first win. The junior pitched outstanding, allowing just three hits and no runs over 6-1/3 innings and not allowing a La Verne batter past second base. He improves to 1-1 on the season and drops his ERA to 2.60.

The Eagles return to action soon, hosting a GSAC game against California Baptist University on Wednesday (Feb. 25) on Eagles Diamond at 2:00 p.m.