LA MIRADA---Kendall Nakano's walk-off hit in the ninth inning secured Biola's 9–8 win over Hawaii Hilo on Saturday afternoon.
With two outs, Nakano stepped to the plate with the game-winning run on second base. Lizzie Byer was in scoring position after leading off the inning with a single, while Alexa Medley Sheard reached base on a misplayed fielder's choice. Nakano remained composed and clutched up with a double to right center to score both Byer and Medley Sheard.
The first game of the day's doubleheader was an offensive battle. Biola tallied 17 hits and nine runs, while Hawaii Hilo recorded 12 hits and eight runs. Alexa Medley Sheard and Jackie Ibarra led the Eagles offensively with four hits each, with Ibarra also adding two RBIs. Kendall Nakano drove in a game-high five runs, including the walk-off hit.
The Eagles showed their resilience throughout the game, coming back from behind twice. Biola rallied in the bottom of the sixth inning with the bases loaded. Nakano reached on an error that allowed two runs to score, and Madeline Granados followed with a sacrifice fly to bring in another run and tie the game at 6–6.
Hawaii Hilo regained the lead in the seventh inning, but the Eagles responded again in the bottom half. Ariana Banos doubled to lead off the inning and later scored on an RBI single from Jackie Ibarra to even the score at 7–7.
Granados earned the win in relief, pitching the final four innings for the Eagles as Biola improved to 14–14 on the season.
