Box Score
LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Junior
Nick Covyeau broke a tie with a two-out RBI-single in the bottom of the seventh and
Mike Lopez followed two batters later with a two-run, pinch-hit single to break the game open as Biola defeated Cal State San Bernardino 8-5 in a non-conference game on Thursday.
The Eagles, ranked No. 10 in the NAIA Preseason Poll, improve to 3-1 with the victory while dropping the Coyotes to 2-2 on the season.
Erick Allen picked up the win in relief for the Eagles (3-1) after allowing just two hits over 2-2/3 shutout innings to close out the game. Jeff Turzo suffered the loss in relief for the Coyotes (2-2).
Covyeau opened the scoring for Biola with a solo home run in the bottom of the second, his third of the young season. Wesley Cottier followed with a home run on the next pitch to give Biola the early 2-0 lead.
Cal State San Bernardino answered back with a four spot in the fourth on just two hits.
But Biola scored once in the fourth thanks to an RBI-single by Sage Polland and added two more in the fifth as Vinnie Fayard hit a two-run home run to make it a 5-4 game.
The Coyotes would tie the game in the seventh without a hit as Biola pitchers walked three batters and hit another. However, the Eagles would have the final say with a three-spot in the seventh. With two out, a walk and an error opened the door for Coyveau, who singled home Johnny Farrington with the go-ahead run. Two batters later, Lopez drove home two more with his bases loaded single into right field.
Kevin Ryan was Biola's starter in the game, but struggled a bit with his control. He allowed four runs--just two earned--and three hits over four innings, but walked five. Two of those walks would come around to score.
Karl Stuck came on in relief and allowed just one run on two hits over 2-1/3 innings, walking one and striking out three.
The victory was career win No. 498 for Biola head coach John Verhoeven, who already is the program leader in coaching victories in just 14 seasons--over 100 better than the next-highest total.
Biola heads over to Phoenix to face Arizona Christian University in a three-game series starting Friday night at 5:00 p.m.
