LA MIRADA--- The Biola Softball team was predicted to finish third by the PacWest Coaches in the league's 2024 preseason poll. 

Biola, voted third, received 46 points. The Eagles were seven points behind Azusa Pacific who was predicted to finish second. Concordia was unanimously in first with eight first place votes and 64 points. 

The Eagles were represented by Raylene Roybal and Allie Beck on the preseason team. 

Roybal was chosen as a PacWest Preseason Pitcher. 

Roybal led Biola in the circle last season with a 2.01 ERA and 114 strikeouts. The opposing team's batters averaged just .218 against Roybal who also had a 16-10 record and recorded three saves in 2023.

Additionally, Roybal was a big offensive contributor who finished last season with a .319 batting average, recorded 45 hits, 10 doubles, two triples and two home runs. She also batted in 21 RBIs and earned an on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) of .838.

Roybal received recognition as a First Team All-PacWest Outfielder, Second Team All-PacWest Pitcher and won the NFCA/Rawlings Gold Glove.

Beck was selected as a PacWest Preseason Outfielder. 

In 2023, Beck served as the Eagles go-to designated hitter and was a key contributor on offense. 

Beck achieved the second-highest batting average in the PacWest (.392) and earned Second Team All-PacWest Designated Hitter honors. Additionally, Beck posted eight games in 2023 with two or more hits, slugged .440 and had an OPS of .899.

The Eagles open up 2024 on Thursday, Feb. 1 at 4 p.m. against Northwest Nazarene at Freedom Field.