LA VERNE, Calif. --- Drake Fages hit two home runs including a go-ahead shot in the ninth and Michael Andrews belted a three-run shot to put the game away as Biola picked up an 11-7 season-opening victory over the University of La Verne on Friday afternoon in La Verne.

The Eagles broke a 5-5 tie in the top of the ninth inning with Fages' second solo home run  of the game, keying a six-run outburst which put away a close game.

Biola opened the contest with a run in the third as Benji Sutherland drove home Christopher Neal with the first run of the season. Fages would hit the first home run of the season in the fifth to put Biola up 2-0.

The Leopards would score one in the bottom of the sixth, only to see Biola answer with a three-spot in the top of the sixth. The Eagles loaded the bases with back-to-back singles and a hit batter, then scored the first run of the frame on an RBI walk to Garrett Leon. After a pitching change, Fages drove home another run with an RBI fielder's choice followed by a squeeze bunt by Michael Lopez to cap the scoring.

La Verne was able to get one back in the sixth, then tied the game with three unearned runs in the seventh.

Fages broke the tie with his second home run of the game to lead off the ninth, but that wasn't it for the Eagles. After an error allowed another run to score, Vinnie Fayard drove home a run with the single. Mac Sullivan followed with a single, then Andrews drove them all home with a three-run shot to make it 11-5.

The Leopards would make things interesting with a pair of runs in the bottom of the ninth and had the tying run on deck with runners at second and third and two out. But newcomer Cameron McVey came on and got the final out with one pitch to record the save.

Senior Kyle Atkins recorded the win in relief, going 1-2/3 scoreless innings while striking out two. 

Fages finished his first game in a Biola uniform going 3-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored. Fayard and Sullivan each added two hits in five at-bats.

The two teams close out the season-opening two-game series on Saturday at Biola. The game starts at 1:00 p.m. on Eagles Diamond.