LA MIRADA---Rilee Ruvalcaba stepped up in a big way for the Biola softball team, executing the walk-off single that allowed the Eagles to win the second game 3-2 and sweep Azusa Pacific on senior day.
"I'm really proud of the faith we showed today," stated head coach Kristin Halte. "We were down in both games and had to come from behind to win. I'm so proud of our team for never losing faith in themselves and each other and pulling out the victories today."
The Eagles (27-18, 19-9 PacWest) were trailing the Cougars (29-21, 17-13 PacWest) after the top of the seventh inning. Azusa Pacific scored two runs which broke the six-inning stalemate they were facing.
Biola came ready to fight in the bottom of the seventh. Bridgette Trujillo singled with one out which gave Biola some momentum. Jennifer Morinishi then doubled to keep the inning alive and Colby McClinton walked to load the bases.
Azusa Pacific's second baseman then made a good play on a ball Brie Nowak batted up the middle, diving to stop the ball and then turning the play at second. However, Brie Nowak scored a run which left BU chasing APU 2-1.
Abie Nowak kept the inning going with two outs, singling to right field which loaded the bases once again.
Rilee Ruvalcaba then came up and scored the game-ending run, 3-2.
Kayla Bousquette started game two for Biola and threw until the seventh inning when the Cougars picked up some momentum with a two-run homer. Morinishi closed the seventh, coming in and shutting APU down by getting the next three outs.
In the first game, Biola came back from a first inning two-run deficit to beat Azusa Pacific 4-2.
Biola answered Azusa Pacific's two runs in the first with three in the second. Raylene Roybal singled to lead off the inning. Alexis Lara then pushed over Paige Gonzales (Roybal's pinch runner) to second with a sacrifice bunt. Kaitlyn Hawkins then singled which gave BU runners on first and third. Trujillo pushed Hawkins to second when she grounded out to first and then Morinishi cashed in both runners when she singled, 2-2.
McClinton scored the Eagles final run of the inning when she singled to center, 3-2.
Biola scored an insurance run in the fourth. McClinton singled to left field which scored Biola's fourth run in their 4-2 victory.
Roybal pitched the first game for Biola, allowing two runs to score and just five hits in seven innings of work. Roybal also struck out four Cougars in BU's 4-2 win.
With their two wins today, the Eagles clinched their spot in the PacWest Championships as the No. 2 seed which is their highest conference finish in program history.
Biola honored four seniors before today's games including: Ruvalcaba, Morinishi, Lara, and
Loren Meza.
Gallery: (4-22-2023) SB vs APU
The Eagles play their last regular season games on
Sunday, Apr. 30 at 3 and 5 p.m. against Dominican.
