Box Score SAN MARCOS, Calif. --- Biola committed a season-high six errors and--despite a late rally--lost a close 5-4 non-conference game on Tuesday afternoon at Cal State San Marcos.
The Eagles fall to 12-6 on the season with the loss, snapping a three-game winning streak. The Cougars remain perfect on the year at 8-0.
Biola struggled against Cal State San Marcos starter James Dykstra, who tossed a complete game, allowing eight hits and four runs while striking out 11. However, the defense proved to be sub-par and wound up costing the Eagles a win.
Cal State San Marcos scored two runs in the second inning, taking advantage of a fielding error by the Eagles to strike first. A one-out error allowed Cal State San Marcos the game's first baserunner. With two outs, a walk followed by a two-run triple gave the Cougars a quick 2-0 lead.
Biola got on the board in the fourth with a run to close the gap to one. Paul Slater doubled to open the inning and moved to third on a fly out. Benji Sutherland then recorded the RBI with a ground out to make it 2-1.
But Cal State San Marcos added two more unearned runs in the fifth inning on a pair of Biola errors.
The Eagles rallied again in the seventh as Sutherland drew a leadoff walk and stole second. Three batters later, Michael Annunziata tripled to right to make it a 4-2 game.
The Cougars recorded a big insurance run in the seventh to make it a 5-2 contest and it turned out to be key.
In the ninth, Biola rallied and had two on with two out when Annunziata doubled home a pair of runs to make it 5-4 and represent the tying run at second. But Dykstra worked out of the jam with a pop out to end the game.
Annunziata finished a home run short of the cycle, going 3-for-4 with three RBIs and six total bases.
David Schwab got the start for Biola, going four innings and allowing just two hits and two unearned runs. Will Emerson followed Schwab with three hits allowed and two unearned runs over two innings.
Biola now gets set for a huge GSAC series this weekend, traveling to Irvine to take on No. 11 Concordia University in a three-game series. The first game begins on Friday at 2:00 p.m. with a doubleheader set for Saturday starting at 11:00 a.m.
