SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — Biola Softball improved to 3-0 this season at Dominican's Penguin Field as the Eagles picked right up where they left off on Saturday, defeating Dominican 1-0 in the series-opener.

The Eagles took two at Penguin Field Saturday against the Holy Names Hawks and kept it going with today's win. It's been a positive place to play for this BU Softball side, who's only other trip to the San Rafael field was a 4-0 series sweep over Dominican back in 2019.

Paige Austin returned on Monday and threw a complete game shutout after missing the weekend series vs. HNU due to injury. The Eagles' ace was dominant as ever over her seven innings of one-hit ball. She struck out 10 for her fifth outing of the season with 10 or more Ks. 

The win allowed Austin to improve to 5-1 on the year and keep pace with the two Concordia University Irvine pitchers who've got those Eagles out to an 18-0 start to the year.

Biola's offense once again had a difficult time bringing runs around during a Paige Austin start. It took a sixth-inning Brie Nowak sacrifice fly to finally break a 0-0 deadlock and at least put one on the board against Dominican's Rosa Leguria who entered in relief during the fifth inning. 

The Eagles were limited to four hits and a walk, but got the only run they needed to earn a third-consecutive win and improve to 4-1 in PacWest Conference play.

Allie Beck scored the game's only run as she trotted home from third-base on a deeply batted ball by Nowak that looked for a second like a grand slam and then settled into a sacrifice fly. Beck, Jennifer Morinishi, Sicily Brittingham and Nowak accounted for the four BU hits.

The win for Austin sees her improve to 62-22 overall in a Biola uniform. She's just six wins away from tying for second on the Eagles' all-time wins list (Katie Gustaveson - 2004-07). 

The Eagles improved to 9-5 overall with the win and now sit at 17-2 all-time against Dominican. The two teams play a second game Monday and then go for two on Tuesday. First pitch should be around 2:25 p.m. on Monday afternoon.

Follow the action at https://portal.stretchinternet.com/dominican/.