LA MIRADA, Calif. — Good Friday's first baseball game had everything you could possibly want out of a senior day, except the final result. The Eagles lost game one of the doubleheader with No. 4 Point Loma by a score of 13-3. 

But, the result should not take the light away from the Eagles' opportunity to recognize their seven departing players on a gorgeous day for baseball punctuated by a ceremonial first pitch from Biola's President Barry H. Corey to one of those seven seniors.

Before the battle Head Coach Jeff Calhoon took time to recognize each of his seven departing players: Brayden Englert, Brayden Hamilton, Tyler Baca, Miguel Abascal, Tyler Mead, Rylan Greenlee and Brandon Thomas. See the bottom of this article for Calhoon's words about each of these young men.

When the game did get going it was a balanced one for a few innings as Andrew Beauvais toed the rubber for Biola to open the series against the team that's tops in the NCAA Division II West Region.

Beauvais put together a scoreless first inning to start off right for Biola. The Eagles went down in order during the bottom of the first, though, against PLNU's two-way star Baxter Halligan.

The Sea Lions struck first in the second inning with a trio of runs, powered by three walks, a couple of singles and a sacrifice fly.

Biola would be able to limit them to just those three runs through the game's first four innings, heading into the fifth inning with just a 3-1 deficit to make up. 

The bottom of the fourth inning was the turning point in this contest. Biola managed to load the bases with no outs in the inning, but Halligan and the Sea Lions got back-to-back strikeouts and then a ground out to keep BU off the board and escape, maintaining that 3-1 advantage.

From the fifth inning on, Point Loma scored at least one run in each of their remaining at-bat attempts. They had three in the seventh and three more in the ninth to really break the game open and put things out of reach.

The Eagles were limited to just nine hits in this one, while PLNU had 19 in the contest. BU scored once in the third and had two more cross home plate in the sixth inning via a Rylan Greenlee solo homerun and Tyler White RBI.

The Point Loma bullpen proved too much for Biola as two pitchers combined for four shutout innings, while striking out three and allowing only three hits.

The game one loss drops Biola to 14-19 (10-7 PacWest), while the No. 4 Sea Lions improve to 30-5 (12-5 PacWest). Game two should begin just after 4:05 p.m.

Coach Calhoon on the Biola seniors:
Brayden Englert
"Brayden has been a four year staple in our pitching rotation. Brayden is a great young man who has grown over his four years here. I am thankful to have been able to be a part of three of these seasons and be in his life. Brayden has been a great example of living out your faith through athletics. Brayden will have success in whatever he decides to pursue throughout his life. I will miss seeing Brayden working with the pitcher's on the mound post-practice and his intense demeanor on the mound in games. Brayden has made me a better coach."


Brayden Hamilton
"I am so thankful that Brayden joined our program. He is a deep thinker who adds value to any conversation he is a part of. Seeing him grow and go through the difficult times over the past couple years has been challenging to go through with him, but a blessing to see him coming out on the other end of. He is a strong man of character who has done a great job supporting his family and supporting our team in any capacity he can. Hammy will have an impact on people wherever his future takes him. I consider myself lucky to be a small part of Brayden's life and career."

Tyler Baca
"Tyler is the spark plug of our program. More so through his actions and less with his voice. He lets the game do the talking for him. Tyler is one of the steadiest players I have had the privilege to coach over the past ten years. He is a highly intelligent student, very hard worker, and has been one of my favorites to coach and watch succeed since my arrival to Biola. Tyler has overcome an injury last year to bounce back and have a great senior year so far. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for Tyler."

Miguel Abascal
"Miguel is one of the most unique, highly intelligent, and thoughtful people I have been around. Miguel is an incredibly hard worker. He is a strong Christian man who leads through his actions more than his words. He has incredible life experience and wisdom for a young man at this point in his life. Some of the conversations off the field with Miguel have been insightful and so enjoyable. It is something I will miss about Miguel. I look forward to seeing the impact he makes in the medical world for Christ."

Tyler Mead
"Tyler Mead has grown so much over the three years I have been fortunate to know him. Tyler has grown academically, physically, emotionally, and spiritually over his time at Biola. He has immense care and a passion for the game that will be missed in our program following this spring. Tyler has worked extremely hard to get to this point to pursue his physical therapy career which shows me that he will have great success in that profession. I look forward to visiting Tyler in the future for some shoulder rehabilitation."

Rylan Greenlee
"Rylan has been a great leader in our program this year. He is a committed leader who, similar to other seniors, allows his work and effort to speak louder than his words. Rylan has worked to get the opportunities he has this spring to make our lineup daily. Rylan is a strong student, kind, and hard working Christian who has overcome injuries this year to be successful. He will be great in whatever field he uses his degree for and I look forward to seeing his golf skills at the alumni outings in the future."

Brandon Thomas
"Brandon was one of our first junior college transfers we recruited upon our arrival to Biola in 2019. He brought a tenacity and excitement to our program daily that was unmatched. He is an energy giver who brings those around him up. He has battled through tough times during COVID and has come out better on the other side. Brandon will bring an immense care and pride into whatever the future holds for him from a professional side. I will miss talking about junior college baseball, weight lifting, and watching him run through the walls at Eagle Diamond. I am proud of Brandon and know he will be successful at this next phase of life."