Box Score LANCASTER, Calif. --- Shutdown pitching and solid, timely hitting ushered in a new era of Biola Baseball on Friday afternoon, as Biola shutout the University of Antelope Valley, 6-0.
 
New Head Coach Jay Sullenger gave Garrett Picha the first start of his career in the Eagles' first contest of the season, and the junior lefty did not disappoint.
 
Picha threw five solid innings and allowed the Pioneers just four hits, shutting down the second-year program that went 30-7 last season.
 
After Picha was done, Sean Rothfuss and Sage Poland combined to shutout UAV over the final four innings. Rothfuss was especially impressive, getting three strikeouts and allowing just one hit over three full innings.
 
"Garrett (Picha) gave us a great game today, he really pounded the zone," said Sullenger. "The whole pitching staff did a great job."
 
Michael Annunziata stood out on the offensive side for the Eagles, picking up three hits and starting the season batting .750. He drove in one of Biola's six runs.
 
The other runs were produced off the bats of Tanner Swire, Rob Groeschell and Johnny Farrington.
 
The Pioneers also used three pitchers in the contest, but most of Biola's damage was don against UAV's starter, Ayrton Costa, who surrendered five earned runs over 4.1 innings.
 
"It certainly feels great to get the first win," said Sullenger. "From the first pitch to the last we were really in complete control, the guys did a great job of executing everything we've been working on. "
 
The win gets Biola off to a 1-0 start, and the Eagles will continue the series with a home doubleheader tomorrow at 11 a.m.