LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Despite a pair of solid pitching performances by Biola pitchers, the Eagles were unable to pick up a non-conference victory over Cal State San Marcos on Tuesday, falling 3-2 and 5-2 at Freedom Field.

Biola drops to 17-19 on the season, having now lost six-straight games and nine of its last 10. The Cougars, ranked No. 16 in the NAIA, improve to 31-11.

The Eagles received strong pitching from juniors Lyndsie Roberts and Kristin Larson, but were unable to score enough runs to keep up.

In game one, Biola fell behind early as Cal State San Marcos scored twice in the second inning thanks to a two-run home run by Erica Coehlo. The Cougars would add another run in the top of the sixth to go up 3-0.

But Biola came back with a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth on one swing of the bat by Roberts, who helped her own cause with a two-run double. However, despite being in scoring position with just one out, the Eagles were unable to push Roberts across with the tying run.

Instead, the Cougars were able to hold on to the slim margin with Brenna Sandberg picking up the win to improve to 28-8 on the season. Roberts suffered the tough loss to drop to 9-10.

In the second game, Cal State San Marcos got out in front first with a solo home run in the second. But Biola took back the lead with a two-spot in the bottom of the third to go on top. Brittany Bury led off the inning with a single and was sacrificed to second by Lauren Gandy. Sara Smith then drove Bury home with a game-tying single. Smith would come around to score on a two-out RBI single by Krista Johnson two batters later.

Cal State San Marcos responded in a hurry, tying the game on an Alyssa Dronenberg home run to lead off the top of the fourth. The Cougars took back the lead with two unearned runs in the fifth, benefiting from a pair of Biola errors.

In the sixth, CSUSM loaded the bases with no one out, but was only able to get one run in the frame as Roberts came on in relief for Larson in the inning. After a single brought in one run, Roberts got a pair of strikeouts and ground out to work out of the jam.

Biola had one final chance in the seventh, putting two runners on with two out before the Cougars were able to wrap up the win with a deep flyout to right.

The Eagles return to GSAC play on Saturday, traveling to face arch-rival Azusa Pacific University beginning at Noon.