AZUSA, Calif. — Biola Softball overcame an early solo home run by Azusa Pacific with an immediate answer. After that, there was no looking back as Biola surged past its institutional rival with a statement 8-2 victory in game one of a Friday doubleheader.
The team arrived to the field several hours early, thinking a 12 p.m. doubleheader was on tap for Friday. The waiting around and back-and-forth didn't seem to impact them too much though as eight runs on 14 hits helped them to support DJ Symons' complete game as she notched her 10th pitching win of 2025.
APU took the 1-0 lead in their half of the second as their senior standout Caitlin DeCanio clubbed one over the wall in right center field to break open the scoring.
Head Coach Kristin Halte's team was unfazed, however, as the first five batters of the Eagles' half of the third inning had hits. It began with back-to-back-to-back singles from Leilani Salgado, Jackie Ibarra and Alexa Medley, and then the big damage was done when Kendall Nakano and Raquel Reyes hit back-to-back two-baggers to bring home three BU runs and give the team the lead.
Biola would never trail again, using a two-run fifth and three-run seventh to put eight up on the board for Biola's sixth conference win where it's scored at least eight runs. The 8-2 win gives the Eagles seven wins in a row and finally puts them at the top of the PacWest standings. The increase in production was a welcome sight as the Biola offense had averaged just three runs per game over the first six games of this win streak.
Symons went the distance in this one, allowing eight hits while stranding eight APU base runners on the base paths. Every single time she needed a big out, she was able to induce pop flies into the edge and shallow part of the outfield. She induced 11 total fly outs in this one with only one of them making the Biola faithful hold their breath.
Nakano and Makayla Jordan each had a 3-RBI showing, while Reyes had two RBI of her own as the heart of the Eagles' order had a fantastic effort. Nakano was 4-for-4 in this one as a nice follow-up to her theatrics vs. Pace earlier this week.
The win moves Biola to 22-10 overall and 14-2 in PacWest Conference competition. The two sides are set to do battle once more on Friday night (6:30 p.m. start time) at Azusa and then will play two, for sure at noon, on Saturday at BU.
Arrive early at Freedom Field to get a free Biola branded mini bat!
