AZUSA, Calif. --- Keena Levert went 2-for-3 with a home run and Kristin Larson pitched outstanding to earn the win as Biola defeated Azusa Pacific 3-1 in the second game of a GSAC doubleheader on Tuesday. The Cougars won the first game 4-0.

The Eagles, who are ranked No. 23 in the latest NAIA National Poll released this morning, improve to 10-9 and move to 3-5 in GSAC play. The Cougars wrap up the day at 14-10 and 4-4 in the conference. 

Larson was impressive for Biola in the second game, picking up her first win of the season by tossing 5-2/3 scoreless innings, scattering five hits and striking out five. She improves to 1-2 on the season and lowers her team-best ERA to 0.79.

The Eagles' offense helped out quite a bit, spotting her three runs in the first inning--all coming with two out. Sara Smith got things rolling with a two-out single, followed by another single by Krista Johnson. Levert then drove in the first run of the game with a single which scored Smith and moved to second on the throw home. Larson then helped out her own cause with a two-run single, driving home Johnson and Levert to make it a 3-0 lead.

The Cougars looked to get a run back in the bottom of the inning, loading the bases with just one out. However, centerfielder Brittany Bury gunned the APU runner from third who was trying to score on a flyout to center to end the threat. 

The score would remain 3-0 until the sixth when Levert would cap the scoring with a long, solo home run to make it 4-0. Levert would finish the game going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a pair of RBIs. 

In the bottom of the inning, Erika Moyer came on in relief of Larson and recorded the final four outs of the game to preserve the victory.

Biola lost 3-1 in the first game despite a strong pitching performance by sophomore Lyndsie Roberts. Roberts (5-4) gave up three unearned runs in the game, allowing just four hits and striking out four, but suffered the tough loss.

The Eagles got on the board first, benefiting from a pair of APU miscues to go up 1-0 in the top of the second. Smith reached with a bunt single to get things going and eventually came around to score on an infield error. 

The Cougars quickly tied the game with a run in the bottom of the second as two Biola errors allowed a run to come around. Azusa Pacific then added two more runs in the bottom of the third on another two Biola errors. 

The Eagles also had a tough time in the game figuring out Cougar starter Camille Hundley, who six hits on the night but had six strikeouts to help earn the victory. 

Biola returns to action on Saturday (Mar. 21), hosting Vanguard University in a GSAC game at Noon on Freedom Field.