SAN MARCOS, Calif. --- Biola came up just a pair of runs short in both games of a non-conference doubleheader on Friday, losing 3-1 and 6-4 at No. 20 Cal State San Marcos.

The Eagles drop to 12-10 on the season while the Cougars improve to 12-6.

Both games proved to be thrilling softball battles right down to the very end.

In the first game, the top pitchers for both sides went head-to-head and pitched impressive games. Biola's Lyndsie Roberts struck out five but allowed three runs--one in each of the final three innings for CSUSM--and suffered the tough loss.

The Eagles had no answer for the Cougars' Brenna Sandberg, who allowed just one unearned run on two hits over seven innings, striking out 10 to earn her 10th victory of the season.

Cal State San Marcos struck first in the fourth with a solo home run by Alyssa Dronenburg, then added another in the second with a two-out rally. Elizabeth Bush recorded a two-out single then moved to third on a double by Alicia Ingram. The pair moved up 60 feet on a wild pitch, making it a 2-0 game.

The Cougars would add one final insurance run in the sixth, leading off the inning with three-straight hits. With runners at second and third and two out, Shanti Poston hit a single to center to score the first, but Ciera Ashman was gunned at the plate by Brittany Bury to keep it a 3-0 score.

Biola scored its lone run in the top of the seventh in a rally which nearly tied the game. With one out,  Bury drew a walk and came around to score one out later on a single by Sara Smith. The left fielder misplayed the ball allowing Bury to score and Smith to move up to second with two out. Roberts then drove a deep shot to right field only see it snared just before it would have headed over the wall for a game-tying home run. In the end, the long fly ended the game and gave the Cougars the victory.

In the second game, Biola got out to a quick 4-0 lead thanks in large part to excellent execution of its short game.

Krista Johnson led the inning off with a single, then moved to second on a great bunt by Smith. The Cougars tried to get Johnson going into second, but the throw was late and everyone was safe. After an infield out moved the runners up, Morgan Facchini laid down a perfect squeeze bunt with Johnson again winning the race the next base and Smith scoring on a throwing error by the pitcher.

Leslie Larson then singled home Facchini with a shot to left field, then came around to score as Jillian Storm smashed a double to left.

The Cougars would get three runs back in the bottom of the frame as Kimi Villalpando drove home two with a single, then scored on an infield single with two out.

After Biola went quietly in the third, Cal State San Marcos picked up two more runs in nearly identical fashion to the first two of the second. Biola starter Kristin Larson allowed two hits and a walk to the first three batters of the inning and was lifted for Roberts, but Villalpando again came through with a two-run single to make it a 5-2 game.

The Eagles were unable to get much offense going the rest of the game, putting just three runners on over the final four innings as Sandberg again went the distance for the Cougars. The junior picked up her 11th victory, allowing four runs--two earned--on three hits while striking out five.

Larson suffered the loss to drop to 5-5 on the year.

Biola returns home and back to GSAC play on Tuesday (Mar. 16), hosting Azusa Pacific University beginning at 2:00 p.m.