LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Michael Andrews drilled a three-run home run in the third inning to put Biola on top for good as the Eagles defeated Concordia 8-5 in the first game of a four-game GSAC series at Eagles Diamond on Wednesday afternoon.

Biola, ranked No. 19 in the latest NAIA National Coaches Poll, improves to 19-10 on the season and moves to 13-4 in GSAC play with its 10th conference win in its last 11 games. Concordia drops to 18-12 and to 9-11 in conference play.

Andrews helped out the Biola offense with a 2-for-3 day, belting a three-run home run in the third inning. He was one of four Biola players to record two hits on the day.

Concordia got on the board first with a three-spot in the top of the first, the big blow coming off the bad of Tyler Derby, who drove home two with a bases-loaded single to make it 3-0.

Biola cut the lead to one by scoring two runs in the bottom of the first. Benji Sutherland and Garrett Leon led of the inning with singles and--one out later--came around to score on back-to-back singles by Drake Fages and Brian Loard.

Concordia picked up an unearned run in the top of the second as Kyle Konicek single, was moved to second on a ground out and came around to score on a Biola error.

The the third, Biola took back the lead with a four-run inning. Vinnie Fayard got the ball rolling with a single. After a strikeout, Loard came back from an 0-2 hole to draw a walk. Mac Sullivan then drove home a run with a single up the middle. Michael Andrews then put Biola back on top with a three-run blast which just cleared the fence in right-center field.

Concordia would close the gap to one with a run in the fifth. With two out, John Hill hit a ground ball that hit off first base and shot into the air. First baseman Brian Loard got the ball well behind first and his toss to pitcher Nick Turner appeared to beat Hill to the bag. However, Hill was called safe. The next pitch by Turner to Bryan Nicholson was drilled to right for a long triple, bring Hill around from first.

Biola picked up a pair of insurance runs thanks to three-straight hits in the bottom of the seventh. Leon started the hit parade with a single, just Biola's second since the third inning. Fayard followed with a single to left to put two on with one out. Fages then drove a shot up the middle to plate Leon with Fayard coming around to score on a throwing error to give Biola an 8-5 lead.

Turner did not have his best outing of the year, but did well enough to earn the victory. He allowed five runs--four earned--on eights hits over seven innings, striking out five while walking three. He improves to 4-1, going 4-0 over his last six starts.

The second game of the four-game series begins on Thursday at 3:00 p.m. at Eagles Diamond with the series concluding on Saturday with a doubleheader at Concordia at Noon.