Biola baseball rallied from a three-run deficit to tie Concordia University Irvine in the eighth inning of Friday’s series opener, but fell in the ninth as Concordia rallied right back with five runs, defeating Biola 11-6.
The matchup featured two of the Golden State Athletic Conference’s premier pitchers — Biola’s senior right-hander Nick Turner and Concordia’s junior lefty Cole Swanson — but was far from a pitcher’s duel. Turner gave up eight runs on 12 hits — both season highs — while Swanson gave up just four runs over seven innings. His eight hits surrendered were the second most he has allowed this year.
A two-run single from sophomore right fielder Paul Slater put the teams in a tie for the fourth time in the game before Turner and sophomore lefty Garrett Picha combined to allow five runs on four hits in the top of the final frame.
“It was an emotional game,” said Turner, who made his final home start. “Obviously you want to end with a win but I gave everything I had out there.”
Concordia put the first two runners on in the ninth courtesy of a wild pitch on a third strike and a single. Picha relieved Turner following a sacrifice bunt that moved the runners to second and third and after intentionally walking center fielder Cody Smith to create forces at all bases, Picha walked first baseman Bryan Garza giving Concordia a 7-6 lead.
Consecutive singles from designated hitter Spencer Ofelt and third baseman Ryan DiMascio plated three runs as Concordia ran away with their 18th conference victory.
“Walking off that mound one last time was an emotional ordeal,” Turner said, “but there’s no one else I’d rather share my experiences with.”
Turner entered Friday’s game having won six consecutive starts dating back to March 2. He drops to 9-3 on the year and his ERA is above three for just the second time all season.
Swire hits first career home run
Sophomore infielder Tanner Swire got the start at third base for head coach John Verhoeven and made the most of it. He finished the afternoon 2-for-3 along with his first career home run — a solo shot that put Biola ahead by one in the sixth.
“Everybody was so pumped for me,” said Swire, whose two-hit game was his third in as many games. “It was one of the best feelings ever, honestly.”
Freshman catcher Sam Thorne and junior second baseman Michael Annunziata had two-hit performances, as well. Annunziata’s solo home run started Biola’s three-run, eighth-inning rally while Thorne’s RBI single gave his team the early 1-0 advantage.
Swire and Annunziata hit just the second and third home run off Swanson all year.
Tomorrow’s doubleheader will begin at noon with Biola freshman Josh Staumont likely facing Concordia’s senior right-hander Chris Garrison. Freshman Trevor Oaks will take the mound in game two for Biola. Staumont and Oaks struggled mightily in February’s matchups at Concordia, combining to give up 15 earned runs on 22 hits over two games.
