Biola suffered its second straight loss at the hands of Azusa Pacific tonight, falling 13-3 to the Cougars.

Crucial sixth inning error leads to rout

What began as a pitchers duel resulted in a double-digit blowout, with the Cougars opening the game up in the sixth inning thanks to a costly error and a questionable ball-four call from the home plate umpire.

After going five innings giving up only one run, Biola junior starting pitcher Chris Baek surrendered eight unearned runs following a fielding error by senior first baseman Mac Sullivan with one out in the sixth.

Then with two men out and the bases loaded, a close 3-1 pitch from Baek to Azusa second baseman Sammie Soyring was called a ball, prolonging the inning further.

Leyland continues to fuel Azusa offense

The Azusa offense was led once again by first baseman Jordan Leyland, whose massive three-run homer capped off the eight-run sixth inning. He finished the game going 3-for-5, hitting two home runs and driving in seven runs.

“The guy is very talented…an Eagles killer,” said Biola senior second baseman Vinnie Fayard of Leyland. “We are going to have to figure out a way to get him out tomorrow.”

Fayard continued to be the most consistent hitter for the Eagles, going 2-for-4 in the loss.

Biola offense limited, only manages three runs

Junior center fielder Benji Sutherland, sophomore shortstop Johnny Farrington and freshman infielder Mike Chriss provided the offense for the Eagles, each recording an RBI.

Facing the Cougars tomorrow in the first half of the home doubleheader will be junior Nick Turner, who has arguably been the Eagles best pitcher, going 1-0 with a 3.18 ERA in his first four starts.

Senior Kevin Ryan will take the mound for the Eagles in the second game.

The doubleheader starts at 11 a.m., with the second game following shortly after the completion of the first.