LA MIRADA, Calif. --- It's time for a brand new era of Biola Softball and Head Coach Lorie Coleman and her team are definitely ready to step up to all the challenges of a highly competitive NCAA Division II Conference.
Coleman and her team are eager to prove they belong near the top of the PacWest Conference by establishing their place with a successful 2018 season. All the pieces are in place for a competitive year and the coaches of the PacWest have picked the Eagles to finish sixth during their first season of conference play.
Biola picked up 74 points to slot in right behind Academy of Art and right ahead of Hawaii-Hilo in the preseason Coaches' Poll.
"Our goals for the year are to finish top-5 in the PacWest and earn the school another National Christian College Athletic Association Championship," said Coleman. "We're looking forward to competing and making an impact in this new conference."
The Eagles will look to exceed the conference's expectation for them by at least one spot, if not many more. The team features a strong group of returning players, including last year's leading hitter Areana Ramos and fellow hit-machine outfielder Jay Perez. Biola's lineup is also bolstered by returning power threats Selina Sherlin and Kayla Neff.
Coleman thinks Sherlin has the tools it takes to compete for all-conference honors and even PacWest Player of the Year consideration. The heavy-hitting corner infielder/pitcher comes into the season with a career batting average of .332, 17 homeruns and should eclipse the 100 RBI mark in 2018.
Newcomer Ruth Munoz, one of the team's five freshmen, is another offensive player to keep an eye on. Coleman mentions her versatility in the field and confidence with the bat as huge upsides for her looking ahead to her first year. If she can make anywhere near the impact Perez and Neff had last year it'd be a solid season for the new utility player.
"Ruth outworks anyone and is strong wherever you put her," said Coleman.
Perhaps the biggest difference in this 2018 incarnation of the Biola Softball team will be found in the circle with freshman Paige Austin. Austin is a freshman pitcher from nearby Los Alamitos High School who Coleman has been excited about for three years. She didn't allow a single run during fall ball and has potential to make the kind of impact Reba DePriest had a few years ago.
"Her presence on the mound and her command and velocity will win ball games," said Coleman.
The dominant Austin joins and experienced and talented returning staff that includes senior Terri Van Dagens and Kaile Chavez and Paula Damas. Last season Chavez led the Eagles in wins (7), innings (93.2), strikeouts (43), saves (2) and more.
Biola begins its season on Feb. 1 when it hosts La Sierra for an evening doubleheader at Freedom Field. This is the fourth year in a row that Biola's schedule opens with the Golden Eagles. BU only has one loss in the previous three years' matchups.
The Eagles' non-conference schedule mostly consists of play at tournaments, including the So. Cal Classic in West Covina (Feb. 9) and the Tucson Invitational (Feb. 17). Biola's first NCAA Division II matchup will be a home doubleheader vs. Simon Fraser, beginning at 3:00 p.m. on Feb. 6.
PacWest play kicks off on the Hawaiian islands as the Eagles open their new era of athletic competition with series against Chaminade, Hawaii Pacific and Hawaii Hilo from Feb. 26 - March 3. All three of those opponents are ranked lower than the Eagles in the preseason poll so BU has a chance for a strong opening to conference play.
Circle March 17 and April 27 on your calendar as important dates as that's when the Eagles face the Cougars of Azusa Pacific to relaunch the storied rivalry. Biola will travel to play the Cougars March 17 and then end the season at home on April 27. APU was picked third in the preseason poll.
"We have a mutual respect for each other that brings a new level of fun and creates a healthy rivalry," said Coleman.
It will also be excited to see Biola and Concordia University Irvine together once again. The two teams finished first and second in the Golden State Athletic Conference during CUI's final two years in the GSAC and will continue to have some wild back-and-forth battles as they're back together again. You can catch the green and gold Eagles in action here at Freedom Field on April 28 (Biola's Senior Day).
As always, you can either join us at Freedom Field or catch all Biola home games streamed online at https://portal.stretchinternet.com/biola/. Hope to see you there.
