A very hot day greeted the Biola and Concordia University softball teams as they stepped onto Concordia’s field for their two game series on Saturday. This series was Biola’s second of a four series road trip, and they looked to continue their winning streak after a sweep of William Jessup University last Tuesday. The first game against Concordia was a pitcher’s duel, but Biola came up with just enough offense to take the 2-0 victory. The second game needed three extra innings to reach a conclusion, which ended with a 3-2 Concordia victory. Both teams sit at 7-3 in Golden State Athletic Conference rankings, stuck in a three-way tie with Vanguard for first place.
The first game was defined by the pitching, as the starting pitchers shut down the opposing teams’ offenses. Senior Reba Depriest got the start for Biola, pitching a perfect game in her three innings, as she struck out six of the nine batters she faced. Sophomore Kimmy Triolo came in as reliever for the remaining four innings, and she had a solid performance as well. She did allow the only Concordia hit of the game, as well as three walks, but kept the home Eagles off the board. For Concordia, Brittani McGue pitched the entire game, getting 12 strikeouts but allowing eight walks and both of Biola’s runs in the top of the seventh.
Neither team had a hit offensively until the top of the fourth, when Biola freshman Selina Sherlin singled down the left field line. After Sherlin got on base, two more Biola batters were walked, loading the bases and giving Biola their first opportunity to score. They were unable to convert and stranded all three after Triolo grounded out to the shortstop.
The closest Concordia came to scoring was in the bottom of the sixth, as a walk followed by a sacrifice bunt pushed Marissa Gilbuena to second. The next batter then hit a single, and Gilbuena was thrown out at home after a fantastic throw from Biola’s left fielder, freshman Anjie Amezquita. Biola finally got on the board in the top of the seventh, after sophomore Kasey Hormel was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, bringing home senior Sarah Stromwall. Immediately after, Sherlin was walked, bringing home junior Bria Madrid. That proved to be all the runs Biola needed, and they finished the game with the 2-0 victory.
The second game contained significantly more offense, and less of an emphasis on pitching. Whereas the first game contained 19 strikeouts, the second only had seven combined from five different pitchers. Biola got on the board first, as senior Brooke Madrid hit a single that turned into a run as an errant throw by Concordia’s second baseman allowed junior Iliana Morales to cross home plate. Concordia answered quickly with a run of their own in the bottom of the second. Biola scored again in the top of the seventh, looking to clinch another seven inning victory. Concordia tied the score up, forcing extra innings.
The teams fought back and forth for two innings, with both teams getting close to winning it, only to have the defense stand firm. In the bottom of the tenth, Lauren Rodriguez was placed on second for Concordia, was moved to third by a sacrifice bunt, then hit home after a single from Chanele Dresser. With that, Concordia took the second game victory 3-2.
Biola’s overall record moves to 20-8, as well as keeping them tied for first place in GSAC. Their next series is on the road against San Diego Christian on Tuesday, March 17 starting at 1 p.m.
