Box Score
AZUSA, Calif. --- A pair of costly errors led to 12 unearned runs by Azusa Pacific as Biola dropped the second game of a four-game GSAC series against the Cougars 13-1 on Friday night at the Cougar Baseball Complex in Azusa.
The Eagles fall to 6-9 on the season and to 0-2 in GSAC play while the Cougars improve to 9-4 and to 2-0 in the conference.
The game got off to a close start and was an impressive pitcher's duel through the first five innings. Azusa Pacific struck first with a run in the bottom of the first on an RBI single by Jordan Leyland to make it 1-0. Remember that name…
Biola starter Chris Baek was solid through those first five innings, allowing just five hits and striking out a pair early on. Azusa Pacific starter Michael Finnigan matched him by scattering three hits over the same stretch.
But things fell apart for Biola in the sixth. It likely should have been a 1-2-3 inning, after a fly out to open the inning. The next batter hit a grounder to second but the throw to first was dropped. After a wild pitch advanced him to second, the next batter grounded out to second with what should have been the third out. But with the extra out, Azusa Pacific went wild.
The next three batters singled to drive home a run, followed by an RBI hit-by-pitch and walk to make it a 4-0. After a two-run double made it a six-run game, Leyland then broke it open with a three-run home run.
Biola got a run back in the on an RBI-single by Benji Sutherland, but the Cougars would get four runs in the bottom of the frame. After a single and strike out, another error opened the door for four more runs. After a fielder's choice brought home the first run Leyland hit his second three-run home run in as many innings to make it a 13-1 game.
The Eagles would score three runs in the top of the ninth, benefitting from an error, a balk and a passed ball to pull to within nine late.
Alex Box was strong in relief of Baek, not allowing an earned run on three hits while striking out three over 2-1/3 innings.
Vinnie Fayard went 2-for-4 giving him six hits in the first two games of the series.
The two teams close out the series on Saturday in a doubleheader at Eagles Diamond beginning at 11:00 a.m.
