LA MIRADA, Calif. --- A total of 26 home games including seven in January--the earliest start in program history--highlight the 2013 Biola University baseball schedule released by Head Coach John Verhoeven on Wednesday.
The Eagles, coming off their second-straight trip to the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round, begin the 2013 season earlier than at any other time in program history. The early start is due in large part to a new GSAC schedule format with teams playing two, three-game series against each of the other six conference teams. That change forces the conference schedule to begin the final week of January.
To prepare for the conference start, Biola will open the seaon on January 16, hosting Simpson University in the first game of a two-game series at Eagles Diamond. After a home game against Bethesday University on Jan. 23, the Eagles open GSAC play on Friday (Jan. 25) with the first of a three-game series against The Master's College. The series concludes with a doubleheader on Saturday (Jan. 26), also at BIola.
Biola keeps up its long-standing rivalry with Azusa Pacific University with a now non-conference four-game series from Feb. 14-16. The first two games will be single games at Azusa Pacific on Feb. 14 and 15 at 5:00 pm. The series concludes on Saturday (Feb. 16) with a doubleheader at Eagles Diamond beginning at 11:00 a.m.
The Eagles face defending NAIA National Champion Concordia University in the first round of GSAC play on Feb. 22-23 in Irvine, then host Concordia on Apr. 12-13.
Biola's longest road trip comes in April as the Eagles head north to play a four-game series at Simpson University on April 4-6.
Biola closes out the 2013 regular season with a three-game set against San Diego Christian College at home on April 26-27, then heads to the GSAC Tournament on May 2-4.
Biola plays a total of 26 home games and 24 road games during the regular season.
The Eagles reached the opening round of the NAIA tournament last year, finishing with an overall record of 26-29. Biola was third in the GSAC with an 18-14 record.
