Concordia University Irvine CONCORDI 37-13

Biola BIOLA 33-19

Concordia University Irvine CONCORDI

37-13

Final

Apr. 18, 2026

Biola BIOLA

33-19

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	3	4	5	R	H	E
Concordia University Irvine CONCORDI	2	0	0	0	0	2	4	2
Biola BIOLA	10	2	0	0	X	12	15	0

W: Symons, DJ (14-12) L: Jayden Nishi (12-3)

Summary
Box Score

Abigale Morris

Game Recap: Softball | April 18, 2026

Senior Day Slugfest

Biola keeps its title hopes alive with a game two run-rule win.

LA MIRADA, Calif. — Biola saved its best offensive inning of the season for the perfect moment, erupting for 10 runs in the bottom of the first and cruising to a 12–2 mercy-rule victory over Concordia in five innings during the Senior Day nightcap at Freedom Field.

The win gave the Eagles a split of the doubleheader against their PacWest rival and sent seniors DJ Symons, Ariana Banos, Kayla Bousquette, Lillianna Garcia, Cami Lara and Paige Gonzalez out on a high note in their final regular-season home game.

The Eagles trailed briefly after the visitors tagged Symons for a two-run homer to center field in the top of the first. But whatever momentum Concordia carried from its Game one win evaporated the moment Biola came to bat.

Alexa Medley Sheard singled to right center to spark the rally, and Jackie Ibarra drew a walk to put two aboard. Kendall Nakano then launched a three-run home run to center field, giving the Eagles a 3–2 lead they would never relinquish. The blast was part of a five-RBI game for Nakano.

The Eagles were far from finished. Mikala Huskey ripped a double to right center, and Banos followed with an RBI double to left field that plated Huskey. Kennadie Tsue kept the line moving with an RBI single to left, and Leilani Salgado doubled to right center to knock in Tsue. That chased the CUI starter after just two outs.

A reliever entered but was unable to provide any relief. Lizzie Byer singled up the middle, Sheard delivered an RBI single to shortstop to score Salgado, and Ibarra singled to load the bases. Nakano then singled to left field to drive in two more, pushing the lead to 9–2. Lillianna Garcia capped the frame with an RBI single to left after yet another pitching change, making it 10–2 after one inning. The Eagles recorded 11 hits in the frame to soar out in front of their Golden counterparts.

Biola tacked on two more in the second. Tsue was hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Salgado. Sheard came through again with a single to center field to drive in Tsue. Ibarra then singled to shortstop, and a throwing error allowed Sheard to come around and score, extending the lead to 12–2. Biola finished with 15 hits in the game, 11 of which were singles.

Symons, the senior lefty making her final start at Freedom Field, was dominant in the circle after the big blast in the first. She retired nine of the final 11 batters she faced, induced two double plays, and struck out two in a complete-game effort on just 52 pitches.

Sheard led the way on offense, going 3-for-4 with two RBI and three runs scored. Nakano was 2-for-3 with a home run and five RBI. Huskey went 2-for-2 with a double and a walk, while Banos added two hits, also including a double.

With the victory, Biola moved to 33–18 on the season and 26–7 in PacWest play. The Eagles enter the final week just barely behind CUI for the conference lead. If both teams win out, Concordia will clinch the PacWest title by nature of their winning percentage. The Eagles play Vanguard (21-28, 14-16) on the road on Saturday. Concordia finishes at Azusa Pacific (23-27, 16-18) on Saturday.

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Score By Innings
		CONCORDI	BIOLA
*TOP 1st*	Veronica Moore homered to center field, 2 RBI (1-1 FB); Morgan Kneubuhler scored.	2	0
*BOT 1st*	Kendall Nakano homered to center field, 3 RBI (1-1 KB); Jackie Ibarra scored; Alexa Sheard scored.	2	3
*BOT 1st*	Ariana Banos doubled to left field, RBI (2-2 BBFF); Mikala Huskey scored.	2	4
*BOT 1st*	Kennadie Tsue singled to left field, RBI (2-1 BKB); Ariana Banos scored.	2	5
*BOT 1st*	Leilani Salgado doubled to right center, RBI (1-0 B); Kennadie Tsue scored.	2	6
*BOT 1st*	Alexa Sheard singled to shortstop, RBI (1-1 BK); Lizzie Byer advanced to second; Leilani Salgado scored.	2	7
*BOT 1st*	Kendall Nakano singled to left field, 2 RBI (1-0 B); Jackie Ibarra advanced to third on the throw; Alexa Sheard scored; Lizzie Byer scored.	2	9
*BOT 1st*	Lillianna Garcia singled to left field, RBI (1-2 KKB); Kendall Nakano advanced to second; Jackie Ibarra scored.	2	10
*BOT 2nd*	Alexa Sheard singled to center field, advanced to second on the throw, RBI (0-0); Kennadie Tsue scored.	2	11
*BOT 2nd*	Jackie Ibarra singled to shortstop, advanced to second on a throwing error by ss, advanced to third, RBI (0-0); Alexa Sheard scored, unearned.	2	12