SANTA BARBARA, Calif. --- Behind another strong pitching performance by Alex Brueske and a pair of home runs by Mac Sullivan, Biola powered its way to a 12-1 GSAC victory over Westmont College Wednesday in the first game of a four-game series.

The Eagles improve to 11-4, 5-3 in GSAC play while dropping the Warriors to 5-12 overall and 1-6 in conference action.

Brueske, who's recent exploits include an impressive performance in a win at Azusa Pacific, held Westmont to just one run on three hits over seven innings to improve to 3-1 on the season.

The right-hander, who needed just 85 pitches, allowed two of the three hits against him in the first inning, giving the Warriors an early 1-0 lead. Westmont used a bit of small-ball to open the game after Terrell Wong led off the frame with a single, he was bunted over to second and reached third on an infield groundout. Timothy Leary then drove him in with an infield single to put the Warriors on top early.

Biola wasted no time getting the lead back as Rucky McKinley drove home a pair with a two-out double to centerfield.

The Eagles tacked on two more in the fourth, the first on a sacrifice fly by Daniel Bodemer, which plated Trevor Blood, and the second on a Westmont error.

Biola would break the game open in the top of the fifth, breaking out the lumber with a pair of tape-measure home runs. With two out, Blood collected his third hit of the game, a two-run shot to right-center field to make it a 6-1 game. After hit batter, it was Sullivan's turn to go deep, driving one deep over the center field fence to make it 8-1.

The Eagles would score one run in each of the final four inning, with the big blow being Sullivan's second home run of the game, a solo shot to right to lead off the seventh.

Gregg Pellici was saddled with the loss, surrendering eight runs--seven earned--on six hits over 4-2/3 innings. He also walked four and hit a pair of batters.

Justin Rodriguez and Jonathan Cade came on to pitch the final two innings for the Eagles in relief, Cade retiring the side on just five pitches in the bottom of the ninth.

Blood had another strong game for Biola, raising his season average to .373 with a 3-for-4 game, collecting a home run, two singles and scoring three times.

Biola and Westmont return the Russ Carr Field in Santa Barbara on Thursday for the second game of the four-game series. First pitch is set for 2:00 p.m. The two teams then close out the series on Saturday with a doubleheader at Biola beginning at 11:00 a.m.


The Warriors used small-ball to tally an early run in the bottom of the first. After