LA MIRADA, Calif. --- After being blown out in the first game, Biola came out and battled before ultimately falling 6-2 to No. 8 Cal State San Marcos in a non-conference game on Saturday afternoon at Freedom Field.
The Eagles drop to 10-8 on the season while the Cougars, ranked No. 8 in the NAIA Preseason Poll, improve to 13-4.
Biola had a tough time all around in the first game, but came out with a strong showing in the second game.
The Eagles got the first run of the second game in second inning. Pitcher Shaylynn Weststeyn ripped a single to right to start the frame and was sacrificed to second by Kristen Larson. One out later, Vanessa Coleman came up with a clutch single to right center to plate Weststeyn.
However, San Marcos answered back with a three-spot in the top of the third with Alyssa Dronenburg recording the big blow, a two-run double to make it 3-1.
Biola came back with a run in the bottom of the third as the Eagles manufactured another run. Lauren Gandy reached on a one-out single and stole second. One out later, Lyndsie Roberts drew a walk and Weststeyn continued to help herself out with a single to right to plate Gandy.
But that would be it for the Eagles, who would be able to get two more runners on the rest of the way.
San Marcos would add three more runs in the sixth to provide the final margin.
Weststeyn suffered the loss, her first of the season, despite recording nine strikeouts. A number of mental miscues along with two physical errors compounded things for the Eagles.
The first game got off to a close start with the Cougars netting the first run in the top of the first inning. However, Biola hung close through the next two innings until Cal State San Marcos broke the game open with five runs in the top of the fourth to make it 6-0.
Biola started to rally in the fourth as CeCe Luster reached on one-out single followed by a single by Roberts. After a strikeout, Kristen Larson drew a walk to load the bases, but the Cougars were able to work out of the jam with a strikeout.
After the Cougars scored one more in the fifth, the Eagles had another chance to net a run in the sixth. Gandy led off with a single and stole second, moving to third on a single by Roberts with one out. Weststeyn then drilled a shot toward first which was snagged by the first baseman who stepped on first for the inning-ending doubleplay.
Brenna Sandberg pitched all 14 innings for the Cougars, recording both wins to improve to 11-4 on the season. She allowed just two runs on 10 hits and struck out 17 in 14 innings.
Biola returns to action on Wednesday, hosting Menlo College (Calif.) in a non-conference doubleheader beginning at 1:00 p.m. at Freedom Field.
