Hits, Hits, Hits

Game Recap: Softball | March 04, 2023 | Billi Derleth, Assistant Sports Information Director

The softball team’s bats were hot in their 6-3 win over Hawai’i Hilo.

HILO, Hawai'i---The bats were hot for the Biola softball team who tallied 12 hits against Hawai'i Hilo.

Every batter but one in Biola's lineup recorded a hit in the Eagles' 6-3 win. Colby McClinton led her team, going 3-for-4 with three singles to the outfield. Abie Nowak and Kaitlyn Hawkins also had shining offensive performances where they batted 500 percent against the Vulcans (2-for-4).

The Vulcans picked up an early lead when they scored a run in the bottom of the first. UHH held that lead until the third inning where Biola broke through with a two-out rally. Jennifer Morinishi walked to extend the inning and was advanced to third by McClinton who singled to right field. Abie Nowak then clutched up for the Eagles, smacking a double to center which cashed in Morninishi and speedy McClinton from first base, 2-1.

Biola's lead was short-lived as the Vulcans would score the game-tying run in the bottom of the third, 2-2.

A scoreless third inning would pass, but Biola would jump ahead in the fourth. Kaityln Hawkins jump-started the inning with a base hit up the middle and would be pushed over to second thanks to a sacrifice bunt by Brie Nowak. Alexis Lara then singled down the left field line which advanced Hawkins to third.

BU then received their second out from a shallow fly to center field. But Allie Beck would step up with a single through the middle which scored the go ahead run, 3-2.

DJ Symons entered the game in the bottom of the fourth on defense and threw a big 1-2-3 inning to shutout the Vulcans and hold BU's one run lead.

Biola scored another run in the sixth where Hawkins led off again with a single, this time to right field. BU's next two batters advanced her to third and then Rilee Ruvalcaba executed a two-out single which sent Hawkins home and gave BU a 4-2 cushion.

Hawai'i Hilo would gain some momentum in the bottom of the sixth where they scored a run and had a runner left in scoring position with only one out. To break up the Vulcans momentum, Biola made a pitching change which put veteran Morinishi in the circle to relieve. The left-handed hurler efficiently closed the inning with no further damage and Biola led 4-3.

The Eagles offensively answered the Vulcans' run and doubled it in the seventh which gave them a comfortable 6-3 lead over UHH.

McClinton singled to give BU a baserunner and then Abie Nowak doubled to deep right center to score the freshman, 5-3. Loren Meza then replaced Abie Nowak on second as a pinch runner which proved to be a great call as she was able to tag up on a deep fly ball to center field and score which boosted Biola up, 6-3.

Morinishi then executed a 1-2-3 inning on the mound to close out the game and secure Biola's 6-3 win.

Raylene Roybal started in the circle and pitched until the fourth inning when Symons came in. Symons threw 2.1 innings which was enough to earn the win and improved her to a 2-0 record on the mound. Morinishi picked up her second save of the season when she closed out the last 1.2 innings.

The Eagles and Vulcans are playing again, right now, at the Vulcan Softball Field.
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