Biola baseball failed in their push towards Golden State Athletic Conference postseason play, losing three consecutive close games to Vanguard University — 5-4, 4-3 and 4-2.

The Eagles’ conference record of 13-20 has them four games behind fourth-place Arizona Christian University with three regular season games remaining, eliminating them from playoff contention for the first time since 2010.

“It was a rough weekend,” game-three starter, freshman Trevor Oaks said. “I consider Vanguard a team we should’ve been able to beat.”

Just one win would have kept hopes alive and made this weekend's season-ending series with San Diego Christian College relevant.

Game two’s extra-inning loss was the backbreaker as the Eagles held a 4-3 lead heading into the ninth inning, only to lose it in the 12th after an errant throw to first base from sophomore reliever Garrett Picha allowed Vanguard’s game-winning run to score.

Trailing 2-1 in the eighth, Biola tied the game on junior second baseman Michael Annunziata’s run-scoring single and took the lead in the ninth as freshman catcher Sam Thorne brought in sophomore right fielder Paul Slater from third with a sacrifice fly. But with 15 runners left on base — including five in the final three innings — the Eagles squandered opportunities to extend the lead.

“It was a very frustrating series to say the least,” Oaks said.

Biola tallied 26 hits during the three-game series while leaving 31 runners on base in the process.

“It was hard to believe it was actually happening,” Oaks said, “especially with how many line drives we hit.”

Eagles’ starters unable to keep Lions off board

Oaks gave up a quick four runs in the first two frames en route to his seventh loss of the season in the series finale.The freshman had won two consecutive starts before Saturday’s loss.

Biola’s other freshman starting pitcher — right-hander Josh Staumont — pitched 10.2 innings of game two’s extra-inning loss, allowing just three runs on six hits. He struck out nine while walking none — just his second zero-walk performance of the year.

Game-one starter Nick Turner allowed a season-high 13 hits, including nine in the first four innings. Despite trailing by four runs, the Eagles gave themselves a chance in the ninth thanks to junior outfielder Vince Lawrence’s two-run homer but eventually fell 5-4. The dinger was Lawrence’s third in his last five contests.

Turner has struggled down the stretch, surrendering 25 hits and 13 earned runs in two consecutive losses.

“It sucked,” Turner said. “But I guess the Lord has a different plan for this team.”

The Eagles will travel to Escondido on Friday to conclude the 2013 season against San Diego Christian College, who clinched a playoff berth last weekend with two wins over Concordia University Irvine. With postseason contention out of the question, Biola’s seniors Turner, center fielder Benji Sutherland, catcher James Petrilli and relief pitcher J.T. Mickelson will be competing in their final three collegiate games.

“I’ve been swinging a bat for 20 years,” Sutherland said. “It’s a surreal feeling knowing this is the last time I will play competitively in my life.”