LA MIRADA, Calif. --- No. 19 Biola used three three-run innings and pounded out 15 hits en route to an 11-6 victory over Concordia in a GSAC game on Thursday afternoon at Eagles Diamond.
Biola picks up its 11th win in its last 12 GSAC games to improve to 20-10 on the season and remains in first place in the conference with a 14-4 mark. Concordia drops to 18-13 and to 9-12 in GSAC play.
Johnny Farrington was 4-for-4 in the contest, scoring three runs to jump-start the Biola offense from the No. 9 hole. Garrett Leon also collected four hits, going 4-for-5 in the contest with two runs scored and three RBIs.
Biola got off to a quick start with a three-run bottom of the first. After scoring its first run on a double play, Biola added another on an RBI-single by Brian Loard. Loard then came around to score on an error to make it 3-0
Concordia answered back with a three-spot in the top of the second inning, benifitting from a Biola error and back-to-back doubles by Tyler Derby and Danny Casey.
Biola didn't wait long to answer, putting together a three-run inning in the bottom of the second. Vinnie Fayard drove home the go-ahead run by drawing a bases-loaded walk followed by a sacrifice fly by Drake Fages. Biola would add the third run on a wild pitch to go up 6-3.
After Concordia failed to score in the third, Biola added one of its own in the bottom of the inning. Michael Andrews was hit by a pitch with two out and moved to third on a single by Farrington. Benji Sutherland then drove home a run with a single to put Biola up 7-3.
Concordia closed the gap to one with a three-run fifth inning, using four-straight singles to lead off the inning and chase Biola starter Kyle Atkins.
Biola added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth as Farrington led off the inning with a single, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, and was scored on a single by Leon.
In the eighth, Biola tacked on three more runs, taking advantage of a pair of Concordia errors. Leon had the big hit, driving home two runs with a single up the middle drove home two with a single up the middle,
Bobby O'Neill picked up the win in relief for Biola, pitching 3-1/3 shutout innings, scattering three hits and striking out three.
Cameron McVey came on in the eighth inning, earning his sixth save on the season. He made things interesting in the ninth, loading the bases with two out, but was able to get out of it with a strikeout to end the game.
Biola closes out the four-game series on Saturday, traveling to Concordia for a doubleheader beginning at Noon.
