LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Biola (0-1) and Hope International (7-0) opened up Friday's afternoon doubleheader with a low-scoring affair. The visiting Royals came out on top, needing just one run to create the 1-0 final score.

Paige Austin brought the heat from the mound, logging all seven innings for the Eagles. The junior righty averaged a strikeout per inning with seven on the day. HIU struggled to put the ball in play, as Austin held the visitors to just four hits without allowing a walk.

Despite being held scoreless, the BU lineup found ways on base and into scoring position. Biola rallied in the bottom of the second, loading the bases with a pair of singles and a walk. The offensive effort was snuffed out by back-to-back strong defensive plays from HIU.

Kylie Velasco offered the lone extra-base hit for BU, launching a double with two outs in the sixth frame. Velasco moved Brie Nowak to third with the big hit, as the duo represented the potential game-tying and game-winning runs in scoring position. Once again, the Royals battled out of the scare without a blemish on the scoreboard.

The difference in the contest came in the top of the first, as HIU brought home an unearned run with a two-out double. The 1-0 lead for the visitors proved to be enough with no scores from either team for the remainder of the competition.

Nowak notched a great performance at the plate with two of BU's six hits in the game. The designated player went two-for-three in the outing with a pair of singles.

Game two of Friday's doubleheader is currently in progress. Follow along with the live stats here - LIVE STATS.