LA MIRADA---The Biola softball team fell 2–1 to Hawaii Hilo in 10 innings on Friday afternoon at Freedom Field, splitting the day's doubleheader after a tightly contested extra-inning battle.
Biola struck first in the opening inning. Lizzie Byer had a lead-off single and later scored off a Kendall Nakano fielder's choice, which gave the Eagles an early 1–0 lead.
Hawaii Hilo answered in the third inning. After a walk and a sacrifice bunt moved a runner into scoring position, Lexie Tilton singled to left field to bring home the tying run and make it 1–1.
From there, the pitchers duel began. Biola's DJ Symons and Hawaii Hilo's Janessa Santos kept the game tied for six scoreless innings. The Eagles had several chances offensively, collecting eight hits in the game, but were unable to bring another run across the plate.
Biola threatened in the ninth inning when Madeline Granados walked and Byer followed with a single to put two runners on base. However, the Vulcans escaped the inning to send the game into extras.
In the 10th inning, Hawaii Hilo capitalized with the international tiebreaker rule. A sacrifice bunt moved the placed runner to third, and then a Vulcans' double gave the visitors a 2–1 lead.
Biola had one final opportunity in the bottom half of the inning, advancing the placed runner to third, but Hawaii Hilo closed the door to secure the win.
Symons pitched all 10 innings for the Eagles, allowing six hits and two runs (one earned) while striking out eight. Byer led Biola offensively with three hits, while Alexa Sheard and Mikala Huskey added two hits in the loss.
With the result, Biola moved to 13–14 on the season and 6-3 in the PacWest. BU and UHH will play two more games tomorrow, Saturday, March 14 at Freedom Field.
