IRVINE, Calif.--- The Biola softball team fell in a hard-fought, 10-inning battle to Colorado State Pueblo on Saturday night at Great Park Irvine (4-3). The Eagles forced extra innings with a late comeback but were unable to complete the rally as the ThunderWolves pushed across the go-ahead run in the top of the 10th.

Colorado State Pueblo struck first, scoring one run in each of the opening two innings to take a 2-0 lead. Biola answered in the bottom of the second when Madison Duncan doubled to left-center field and later scored on a sacrifice fly from Kennadie Tsue (2-1).

The score remained unchanged until the sixth inning, when the Eagles evened the game. Alexa Medley Sheard reached on a bunt single and advanced into scoring position thanks to a single by Kendall Nakano. Lillianna Garcia then scored her with an RBI groundout to tie the contest at 2-2.

Both teams remained scoreless through the seventh and eighth innings. In the top of the ninth, Colorado State Pueblo used a sacrifice fly to regain the lead, but Biola responded in the bottom half. After a sacrifice bunt moved the tying run into scoring position, Ariana Banos delivered a clutch RBI single to right field to knot the score at 3-3 and extend the game.

The ThunderWolves pushed across the game-winning run in the top of the 10th inning, and Biola was unable to respond in the bottom half.

Garcia got the start for the Eagles and threw the first four innings, allowing four hits and two runs to score. DJ Symons entered in relief in the fifth and put together a strong performance. She threw the final six innings, allowed no hits and struck out eight.

Biola ended the Concordia Kickoff Classic 2-2 overall. The Eagles play next on Friday, Feb. 6 against Colorado Mesa in the CSUSM Softball Tournament.