BELMONT, Calif. --- Paula Damas was never out of control over five dominant innings and the Eagles' offense woke up at just the right times to lead Biola to a 6-2 win in game one against Notre Dame de Namur on Thursday.
 
It was a see-saw battle through the first five innings with one through four being scoreless frames and both teams putting a two on the board in the fifth.
 
Biola was making contact throughout, but kept popping the ball up early on. The Eagles managed just two hits and only sent one batter over the minimum to the plate through the first four innings.
 
Finally, the team was able to manage some production to begin the fifth with a lead-off single being followed by a walk setting up a prime opportunity as Madison Blossey came to the plate. Blossey was injured throughout the fall and start of the season and was limited to practicing bunting. All that practice paid off as the freshman laid down a perfect squeeze bunt that was followed by a NDNU mis-play producing two Biola runs.
 
Biola would have a defensive miscue of its own in the bottom half, allowing Notre Dame de Namur to tie the game as it moved into the sixth inning.
 
Three of the first four hitters in that inning singled, allowing Biola to break out in front once more. Missy Poti drove in Ruth Munoz for what was ultimately the game-winning run, then, after a Haley Martinez slap single over the head of the third baseman, Poti took home after the catcher attempted to pick her off at third base and threw the ball into left field.
 
After Damas went thr first five innings without allowing any earned runs (or free passes), Head Coach Nikki Udria inserted Paige Austin in the sixth to attempt the save.
 
Austin struck out three over her two scoreless innings of work to pick up her fifth save of the season. Her seventh inning was made just a bit easier by the work of the Biola offense in the top half when Biola picked up two insurance runs off a Munoz RBI single and Areana Ramos RBI double.
 
The Eagles ended with nine hits in the game, with five of those nine coming from the top two batters, Neff and Munoz. Neff had two doubles and Munoz went 3-for-4 with a pair of infield hits.
 
The Eagles improve to 21-12 thanks to their fifth-consecutive win. They'll attempt to begin their road trip 6-0 with game two of Thursday's doubleheader. It's scheduled for a 1:25 p.m. start.