RIVERSIDE, Calif. ---
CeCe Luster continued her record-breaking season by driving in all four runs for Biola, though it wasn't enough to topple the No. 1 team in the country as Cal Baptist swept the Eagles by scores of 8-2 and 5-2, needing a walk-off three-run homer to win game two on Tuesday.
The Eagles drop to 24-22 on the season and to 5-9 in GSAC play. The Lancers move to 50-2 and to 13-1 in the conference.
Luster finished the day going 3-for-6 with two home runs and four RBIs in the contest. She now has 58 on the season, adding to what is now her own school record in just her first season with the team.
In the first game, Biola took the lead early with a run in the first. Storm led off with a walk, stole second and moved to third on a single by Lauren Gandy. Gandy then stole second to put the pressure on. Luster then drove in the Eagles' first run with a groundout to make it 1-0.
The Lancers took advantage of a Biola error in the bottom of the first to tie the game, then added three more in the second.
Lindsay Henry then broke the game open by hitting a grand slam in the bottom of the fifth to make it an 8-1 game.
The Eagles got one back in the sixth as Luster connected on a home run to account for the final score of 8-2.
In the second game, the Eagles again got on top early with another run driven in by Luster. After Gandy tripled with one out, Luster drove her in with a bunt single to score the go ahead run.
Once again, Cal Baptist answered back with runs in the bottom of the first on a pair of singles to drive in a run.
Luster responded quickly with a solo home run in the top of the second to tie the game again, this time at 2-2.
The score would remain that way through the rest of the game as both teams had chances but could not break through.
Biola's best chance came in the top of the seventh as the Eagles' first two batters reached on singles. But a flyout and two ground outs ended the threat as quickly as it started.
The Lancers' first two batters in the bottom of the seventh grounded out as it looked like the teams would head to extra innings. However, a double and a walkout to runners on base for Cal Baptist with two out. That was followed by a first-pitch, walk-off home run by Sloan McHann.
Luster suffered the loss despite the solid outing after Shaylynn Weststeyn was saddled with the loss in the first game.
The Eagles return to action on Saturday (Apr. 16), hosting No. 4 Concordia University in a GSAC doubleheader at Biola beginning at Noon. Biola will be joining in a nation-wide Strike Out Cancer campaign, raising money for breast cancer research with other schools across the country.