Box Score 1 | Box Score 2
SAN MARCOS, Calif. --- Biola received a pair of solid starts from its top two pitchers but was only able to pull out a split in a non-conference doubleheader against Cal State San Marcos on Thursday, winning 8-5 in the opener, but falling 3-2 in the second game.

The Eagles move to 13-14 on the season with the Cougars finishing the day at 12-11.

Biola starters Jeff Grijalva and Chris Baek were solid on the day with one receiving solid run support and other not receiving as much as was needed.

Grijalva got the start in game one and got off to a bit of a rocky start, allowing an early run. With one out he allowed a walk, a stolen base and a single to plate the first run, but calmed down after that.

Biola took back the lead with a pair of runs in the top of the second inning--all with two out. A two-out walk to Wesley Cottier started the rally and was followed by three-straight singles from Michael Annunziata, Mike Lopez and Johnny Farrington to give the Eagles the lead.

Biola added one more in the third an an RBI-single by Mac Sullivan, then broke the game open with a three-spot in the fourth inning. Dustin William's two-out, two-run double made it a 5-1 game with Vinnie Fayard singling home another run to make it 6-1.

Meanwhile Grijalva allowed just two hits over the next four innings before allowing a run in the bottom of the sixth. After an error by the right-fielder started the inning, a two-out single allowed the Cougars a chance to get a bit closer, closing the gap to 6-2.

In the seventh, Cal State San Marcos would close to within one by scoring three. With one out a single, triple and single made it 6-4. After a failed pick off allowed the runner to move all the way to third, a sacrifice fly brought in the fifth run. But Grijalva worked out of the inning with a ground out to maintain the lead.

Erick Allen then came on for the final two innings, failing to allow a hit and recording his second save of the season.

Biola did add a pair of insurance runs in the top of the ninth inning. Sutherland led off the inning with a double and was brought around on a triple by Fayard. Pinch-hitter Paul Slater then drove home the final run of the game with a well-executed squeeze bunt.

Grijalva allowed just five runs--three earned--on seven hits over seven innings, earning the win to improve to 4-2. It was his third-straight win after a rough start to the season.

In the second game, it was Baek's turn. He also started out with a rocky first two innings, but settled in nicely for the complete game.

In the first, Baek hit a batter with two out then followed that with a walk. The Cougars made him pay with a single to make it 1-0. Michael Meccuci then led off the second inning with a solo home run as CSUSM extended the lead to 2-0.

But he would allow just two hits the rest of the way, hoping that the offense could help him out.

The Eagles would have at least one base runner in each of the seven innings. In the first, Williams was gunned at the plate on a single by Mac Sullivan to end the inning. Their next best chance came in the fourth when a two-out single by Johnny Farrington brought home Drake Fages with Biola's first run.

In the sixth, the Eagles were able to get the tying run in. Sullivan and Fages drew back-to-back to walks to open the inning. But two straight groundouts slowed the threat though the second did bring home Sullivan with the tying run.

Cal State San Marcos went ahead in the bottom of the sixth, taking advantage of another Biola outfield error. With one out, the Cougars received a gift on an error which put a runner at second. Baek struck out the next batter for what should have been the final out of the inning, but a triple by Kenny Belzer brought home the go-ahead run.

Biola started out the seventh with a walk to Sutherland, but three-straight fielder's choice groundouts ended the game.

Baek suffered the tough-luck loss, allowing just three runs--two earned--on four hits over six innings. He struck out three but fell to 3-2 on the season.

The two teams close out the four-game series with another nine inning/seven inning doubleheader on Friday at Eagles Diamond. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.