Box Score COSTA MESA, Calif. --- Golden State Athletic Conference play has not been kind for the Eagles, who after today's loss to Vanguard sit at 4-14 in conference competition.
 
Whether it will be a good thing or a bad thing, the Eagles still have another 18 games against their collection of conference foes to attempt to right the ship.
 
"We have 18 more conference games. We are hoping to make some adjustments and move on from here," said Head Coach Jay Sullenger, looking ahead rather than behind at today's tough one-run loss at Vanguard.
 
Biola battled throughout the game, and even made it all the way back from trailing 5-0, but fell just short with just one run in the ninth inning and lost 7-6.
 
The losing effort is Biola's eighth straight, with five of those losses coming by two runs or fewer.
 
"We are getting closer, but it is still frustrating losing the last eight games," said Sullenger. "Today kind of encapsulated what the first push of the season has been like for us. We made mistakes that put us in a hole early, but just didn't have enough late in the game."
 
The Lions got off to a scorching start to the contest, scoring five runs in the first three innings and knocking Biola's starter Tyler Bernheisel out of the game in the third inning.
 
He and Sullenger's first reliever, Sean Ruthfuss, combined to go just five innings, giving up five runs and seven hits.
 
Vanguard's starter, Scott Torrey, had a strong outing as he blanked the Eagles through the first four innings, including retiring eight straight hitters between the second and fifth innings.
 
The first hit he gave up after that streak was a big one as David McNeill notched his first homerun on the season to get Biola on the board at 5-1.
 
"That first long ball he hit was the hardest hit ball he has had all season," said Sullenger. "He had some key at bats in tough times and battled to get some timely hitting."
 
McNeill was 3-for-3 on the afternoon, collecting two RBI and his run scored. He was also hit by a pitch and stole a base, making for a complete day.
 
It was not until the eighth inning that Biola really began to close the gap. In that inning, the Eagles dropped a three-spot on the Lions' reliever, Marshall McKinnon.
 
A Michael Annunziata single began the action. He was immediately followed by a clutch Boone Farrington double through the left side, which scored him.
 
Singles from Luke Klocek and McNeill, followed by an RBI groundout by Sam Thorne completed the scoring in the frame and left Biola trailing by just one run headed into the eighth.
 
Vanguard tacked on an insurance run against Sage Poland in the bottom of that inning, and Biola needed to match its previous inning as the team trailed by two headed into their final at bats.
 
Johnny Farrington got himself in scoring position with just one out in the inning, but a strikeout gave the Eagles just one out to work with as Annunziata came to the dish. He doubled to left center to score Farrington and get himself into scoring position with the other Farrington brother stepping in.
 
Boone was walked and this set up a solid scoring opportunity with the go-ahead run on first, but the Eagles just could not push anyone home and dropped to 8-21 with their latest loss.
 
"We have not been able to put together a solid nine innings yet," said Sullenger. "We are getting it there, but are not there yet. We are on the right track and we will have to see if we can turn a corner."
 
The Eagles get a break from GSAC competition as they face No. 16 CSU San Marcos at home on Wednesday.