The softball team had an exciting season opener against La Sierra University, coming back from behind in both games to win. Biola then delivered two crushing defeats to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University on Feb. 8. The two wins put Biola’s record at 4-0 overall.
“It gives us momentum for the rest of the season and gives us the confidence that we need for the conference games,” said junior catcher Bria Madrid. “And it gives us the motivation to keep it going.”
With its extremely successful 2014 season, the Eagles went into the 2015 season ranked No. 14 in the NAIA.
“We really wanted to have a good start to the season,” said junior third baseman Heather Hall. “Especially because we are ranked this year, we wanted to come out strong and prove that we are coming out strong and we’re coming out to win.”
The Eagles had trouble in both games against La Sierra. However, thanks to the team’s unselfish playing they were able to get runners on base and win. In the first game, the Eagles were down 4-0 before scoring their first run in the third inning. Biola tied La Sierra with four runs in the bottom of the fourth, then surpassed them with two runs in the sixth inning. The win added to the team’s confidence about their season.
“I think it shows we are going to have a successful season” said sophomore outfielder Brooke Madrid. “It shows we have a lot of fight and can come back from being behind.”
The following day, Biola dominated Embry-Riddle with 6-2 and 11-3 wins. Hall had an impressive showing in both games with three runs and two RBIs. The Madrid sisters also had an excellent showing during the doubleheaders. Brooke Madrid went 4-4 at bat and Bria added one run and one RBI to the win.
The Eagles will compete in Golden State Athletic Conference play at the end of February against Vanguard University. Last season, the Eagles went 13-7 in conference play, with four of those losses coming from Concordia University. Biola also fell to Concordia in the GSAC Championship round.
“I’m really looking forward to playing Concordia,” Brooke Madrid said. “They’re our rival team and we are striving to beat them because they are really great competition.”
Before the Eagles see Concordia on March 14, Biola looks to better their seven game undefeated streak from the beginning of last season. The Eagles will compete in the Simpson University tournament in Redding, Calif. Biola’s first game will be against Oregon Institute of Technology on Feb. 13.
“We want to win all six games,” said Hall. “Our goal is to come back undefeated from the weekend.”
