HONOLULU, Hawaii — Biola Softball broke things wide open in the PacWest Conference opener at Chaminade on Friday afternoon. The Eagles began their 12-game Hawaiian road trip with an emphatic 8-3 victory, capitalizing on a strong start by Raylene Roybal and consistent offense throughout.

A one-hour rain delay did not create any kind of tightness for the Eagles' team as BU scored one or more runs in the top half of the first, second, third, fifth and sixth innings to run away with it.

Roybal was removed from the circle briefly, but then returned late in this one to finish the game's final inning and strand the bases loaded for the hosting Silverswords. She finished with a functional "complete game" to pick up her fifth pitching win of the 2023 season. She struck out seven batters and allowed just a single two-run inning in the bottom of the third.

Abie Nowak shined in the batter's box, going 3-for-3 and driving in three runs. Colby McClinton also had an incredible showing in her return to her home state. The Eagles' freshman logged a pair of hits, stole three bases and scored three times to help the team.

The three stolen bases by McClinton is a NCAA-era record for Biola Softball. No Eagle has stolen three bags in one game since Miranda Galindo swiped three against Antelope Valley in 2016.

Overall, six Eagles combined to account for 11 total hits to score the eight runs, which is Biola's third-most runs in any one game so far this season. Nowak, McClinton, Jennifer Morinishi and Alexis Lara each had more than one hit in the game. Morinishi has now hit safely in 10-consecutive games, while McClinton has reached base safely in 12. 

Biola never trailed in the game. The closest things got was in the bottom of the third inning when a two-out, two-run hit allowed the hosts to pull close at just 4-2. 

The win improves Biola to 8-4 overall and helps them start PacWest Conference play with a 1-0 mark. The Silverswords drop to 4-3.

These two sides play three more times between Friday and Saturday, beginning with a 5:20 p.m. PT second half to this doubleheader. View that game at https://portal.stretchinternet.com/chaminade/.