REDDING, Calif. --- Biola pulled a big early season upset with a 2-1 win over No. 4 Concordia University (Ore.), one of two wins in three games during the first day of the Simpson University Classic in Redding.
The Eagles also defeated Northwest Christian (Ore.) 5-3, but lost 9-4 to College of Idaho in the final game of the day.
Freshman
CeCe Luster belted two home runs on the day and seniors
Lauren Gandy and
Jillian Storm paced the offense with five hits each. Storm also added five stolen bases in as many attempts.
In the first game of the day, Biola scored an unearned run in the top of the first, then added another in the fifth on an RBI single by
Chelsea Limm to go up 2-0 on Concordia. The Cavaliers (0-1) scored an unearned run in the bottom of the sixth, but freshman pitcher
Shaylynn Weststeyn closed the door on the rally to preserve the win.
Senior
Lyndsie Roberts scored the victory, tossing four shutout innings, allowing five hits but working out of each jam to earn her first win of the year.
In the second game, Biola broke a late 2-2- tie with a three-run top of the seventh. With one out, Storm singled and stole second. Gandy followed with a go-ahead double, plating Storm. Then Luster broke the game open with a two-run home run to center, her first collegiate home run.
Luster pitched the entire contest, allowing two runs on three hits over seven innings, while adding six strikeouts.
However, things fell apart in the final game of the day as College of Idaho scored nine runs on 12 hits against a tired Biola staff. The Coyotes jumped out to a 7-0 lead after 3-1/2 innings, but the Eagles came back with three runs in the bottom of the fourth. Gandy singled to lead off the frame followed by another two-run shot by Luster--this time to right field.
Kristin Larson hit a single after that and eventually came around to score on a fielder's choice.
Lyndsie Roberts would cap the scoring for the Eagles in the sixth with a solo home run, her first of the season.
Biola closes out the busy two-day tournament with three games on Saturday.
