The loss could mean the end of a long season as the possibility of an at-large bid into NAIA Tournament still remains unclear.

Eagles fall flat in Ryan’s emergency start
Head coach John Verhoeven unexpectedly handed the ball to senior right-hander Kevin Ryan after the scheduled starting pitcher, junior right-hander Jeff Grijalva, suffered a flat tire and arrived in Azusa just ten minutes prior to first pitch.

With Ryan on the bump, Azusa jumped out to an early 2-0 lead when leftfielder Johnathan Erb went opposite field for his eighth homer of the year.

The Cougars never lost the lead, scoring six more runs en route to their 26th win at home this year.

Azusa was dominant at home all year, outscoring opponents 273-133 and losing just once. That loss came against Westmont College in the first round of the tournament.

Erb finished the day with 4 RBIs, going 2-for-4 with a home run. Azusa center fielder Matt Kimmel also went 2-for-4, driving in three runs of his own.

Other than a first inning single, Biola pitching limited the damage from Azusa slugger Jordan Leyland, with Ryan striking him out on three pitches with the bases loaded in the seventh. Leyland was one of the most remarkable offensive showcases all season in the GSAC, batting .431 with 21 home runs and 67 RBIs while earning GSAC player of the year honors.

Eagles dissapoint at the plate, await NAIA playoff berth
The Biola offense managed just seven hits on the day, with four of them coming from sophomore shortstop Johnny Farrington and senior second baseman Vinnie Fayard. The Eagles were otherwise held in check by Azusa right-hander Zach Hedges who won his sixth game of the year.

Grijalva made it into the game in the ninth inning, striking out one and surrendering no hits.