In a rare Monday doubleheader, Biola managed a split with Fresno Pacific University, winning the first game handedly 8-1 before falling 8-5 in game two.

Turner’s gem keeps the Eagles in the hunt for third place

The Eagles now sit in fourth place in the Golden State Athletic Conference with a record of 12-12, one and a half games back from The Master’s College for third place. Eight games remain in the season, starting with this Thursday’s matchup in San Diego against Point Loma Nazarene University.

On Monday, game one featured seven scoreless innings from junior starting pitcher Nick Turner, who struck out seven while notching his third win of the year.

“I think I threw pretty well today,” Turner said. “My fastball and slider were keeping the hitters off balance … but all the glory goes to God at the end of the day.”

Turner surrendered just four hits and walked none, throwing 92 pitches in his 11th start of the season.

Turner benefited from an early lead after the Eagles struck for three runs on four hits in the bottom half of the first, with junior designated hitter Wesley Cottier delivering the big hit — a two-run, two-out single.

Junior center fielder Benji Sutherland broke the game open in the sixth when his liner into left center sailed over the outstretched glove of Fresno Pacific center fielder Kevin Magill, clearing the bases and leaving Sutherland standing at third with his second triple of the year.

Sutherland finished the game going 2-for-5 with two runs and three RBIs.

Sophomore shortstop Johnny Farrington and senior second baseman Vinnie Fayard both recorded three-hit games, going 3-for-5 and 3-for-4 respectively.

Ryan can’t hold back Sunbirds, Fresno Pacific takes game two

Senior starting pitcher Kevin Ryan took the mound in game two and kept the Eagles in the game before running into trouble in the fifth. Ryan plunked the leadoff batter and then surrendered three consecutive hits as Fresno Pacific regained the lead, 6-5, before sophomore pitcher Erick Allen was summoned from the bullpen in relief.

An inning earlier, senior third baseman Drake Fages cleared the bases with a single to give Biola a two-run lead, only to lose it half an inning later.

Security runs were added in the seventh and ninth before Fresno Pacific secured the win.

Senior catcher Mike Lopez had a three-hit game, going 3-for-5 with an RBI in the losing effort.