SAN MARCOS, Calif. --- Drake Fages connected on a three-run home run early in the game and solid pitching by four pitchers helped lead Biola to an 8-2 victory over Cal State San Marcos in a non-conference game on Monday afternoon.

The Eagles pick up their second-straight win and improve to 7-6 on the season while the Cougars drop to 9-7 overall.

The victory was a big one for Biola over a team which had gone 7-6 against teams in the GSAC thus far including wins over Point Loma and Azusa Pacific so far this year.

Fages had a solid day, going 3-for-5 with his eighth home run, adding three RBIs and scoring two runs. Garrett Leon also went 3-for-5 on the day, scoring twice and driving in a pair of runs as well.

The offense was helped by solid pitching with Nate Coronado earning the victory for the Eagles. Coronado allowed one run on four hits over five innings to improve to 2-1.

Coronado got into a bit of trouble early, allowing a lead-off triple in the bottom of the first inning. However, we got a pair of shallow fly outs and a strikeout to end the threat. Biola scored first in the top of the second as Leon recorded a one-out double, then scored on an error by the right-fielder.

Coronado wasn't as lucky in the bottom of the second, allowing back-to-back doubles which tied the score in the bottom of the second.

Biola then broke the game open with a four-spot in the inning. With one out, Vinnie Fayard reached on a bunt single which was followed by a single to center by Mac Sullivan. Fages then belted his eighth home run of the season to tie him for the second-most in the NAIA and give Biola a 4-1 lead.

The Eagles would add another run with the bases empty and two outs. But Josh Burket drew a walk, was moved to second and scored on a single by Christopher Neal.

Biola then tacked on three runs in the fourth, all coming with two out. Sullivan drew a two-out walk followed by a single by Drake Fages. After a pitching change, Leon doubled to left field, plating two runs. He would then come around to score on a single by Burket to cap the scoring for the Eagles.

Biola wouldn't need much more offense as the pitching staff came up big. After a shaky start to the seventh allowed a run in, Jonathan Cade and Bobby O'Neill shut down the Cougars, allowing just one hit over the final three innings. 

Biola returns to GSAC play this week with a four-game series against arch-rivals Azusa Pacific University. The Eagles host the Cougars on Wednesday and Thursday at 2:00 p.m. before concluding the series with a doubleheader at Azusa Pacific on Saturday beginning at 11:00 a.m.