Box Score IRVINE, Calif. ---
Bria Madrid's two-run single in the top of the seventh lifted Biola to a 3-2 upset win over Vanguard in the first round of the 2013 GSAC-CalPac Softball Tournament on Thursday afternoon at Concordia University.
Biola (24-26) remains in the winners bracket, advancing to the second round to face No. 2 Simpson University (32-24) on Friday at 11:45 am. The winner of that game advances to the first championship game while the loser must battle back through the loser's bracket. Vanguard falls to 34-24.
Despite the low-scoring final score, both teams had numerous opportunities to score runs throughout, combining for 15 hits and eight walks.
Vanguard struck first with a run in the first inning thanks to a sacrifice fly.
Biola looked to answer back in the second inning, getting the first two batters on base with singles. However, three-straight strikeouts ended the threat and kept it a 1-0 game.
In the fifth inning, Biola picked up its first run. Celina Thornton led off with a single to left, but after two pop outs, was still at first. Ashley Spadt kept things going by drawing a walk and Bria Madrid came through with a clutch single to bring home Thornton with the tying run.
However, the Lions took back the lead right away, scoring once in the bottom of the fifth thanks to an error by the Eagles' defense.
The score remained the same until the top of the seventh inning as Biola had just three outs to come through with a victory. CeCe Luster opened the inning with a double to right. Heather Hall laid down a bunt and the Vanguard defense attempted to get Luster at third, but Luster slid under the tag as everyone was safe. Spadt rocketed a ground ball to third and was put out at first, but Hall was able to move to second on the play.
Bria Madrid then came through again in the clutch, driving a single to left field which brought home Luster and Hall and gave Biola a 3-2 lead.
Vanguard put up a fight in the bottom of the seventh inning to make things interesting. With two outs, Biola elected to intentionally walk Brittany Boggs, who had gone 3-for-3 to that point. Kimberly Skoglund then singled to right and Gabrielle Jackson drew a walk to load the bases. Pinch-hitter Haley Croce then smoked a shot to third which Heather Hall was able to spear just above the dirt, ending the game and moving Biola to the next round.
Bria Madrid finished the game with three of Biola's eight hits, driving in all three runs. CeCe Luster, who continues to lead the Eagles since returning from injury, went 2-for-4 with a run scored.
In the circle, Sarah Enriquez relied heavily on the screwball inside to shut down the Vanguard bats, allowing just one earned run on seven hits over seven innings, striking out three but walking six. Enriquez improves to 21-17 on the year.
