The Eagles featured a 13-run outburst in the first game of two against the La Sierra Golden Eagles on March 4, but split against the Hope International Royals and got swept by the Doane College Tigers.
Offense Explodes
Biola began this week with an offensive explosion in a 13-8 victory over La Sierra. The game featured an eight-run fourth inning, highlighted by a three for four performance by senior third baseman Heather Hall. Freshman pitcher Kaile Chavez also played well, going two for five with two RBIs and two runs scored while also pitching a perfect game. The 13-run output was the second most runs the Eagles scored this season.
In game two of the double header with La Sierra, the Golden Eagles were out for vengeance and had their own power surge in the first inning by earning five runs off senior Eagles pitcher Kendall Maddox. Biola answered back in the bottom of the first inning on an RBI single from sophomore first baseman Selina Sherlin that scored Chavez, her third run scored of the day. Unfortunately, that is all the offense the Eagles would produce in a 1-8 loss.
Beginning of GSAC play
Saturday, Biola hit the road for their first Golden State Athletic Conference matchup of the season against the Hope International Royals. In game one of the doubleheader, Biola was down 1-2 in the sixth inning until sophomore utility player Anjie Amezquita ripped a single through center field, scoring Hall and tying the game at two apiece. With the game tied, senior catcher Bria Madrid came up to the plate and sacrificed to the pitcher to score Amezquita for the winning run.
Sophomore pitcher Terri Van Dagens, who has been dealing with a nagging injury, pitched well in limited action. Her statline read three innings pitched, one run allowed on one hit, and two punchouts.
Following Biola’s 3-2 game one victory, the roles were reversed once again in game two. With the game tied three all, the Royals knocked around Chavez for four runs, who came in relief for Van Dagens early on after she struggled herself.
Tigers take bite out of Eagles
After a three day rest for the Eagles, Biola took on Doane College and were shutout in game one 0-6. Van Dagens was out on the mound once again but did not produce the best results, as she allowed six runs on four hits in only 1.1 innings pitched. Four of those runs came on a grand slam, which ended up all the runs Doane needed to defeat the Eagles in game one. After Van Dagens was pulled in the second inning, Chavez came in relief and had arguably her best outing of her college career, pitching 5.2 shutout innings and striking out three batters.
In the second game, the Eagles lost a close one 2-3, despite out-hitting the Tigers eight to six. Sherlin took the mound for Biola and finished with four innings pitched while giving up three runs on five hits. Biola almost mounted a comeback in the seventh when Madrid singled to bring home freshman shortstop Andi Hormel, making the game a one-run game. Unfortunately, Sherlin’s groundout to second ended the game.
Freshman Breakout
Chavez had a strong week, both in her hitting and pitching. As a pitcher, Chavez pitched 20 innings, allowed 11 runs and struck out three with a 1.81 ERA. As a hitter, Chavez went 6-19 with five runs scored and a .316 batting average.
“I have been really impressed with how Kaile Chavez has stepped up to take on an important role on the team,” Van Dagens said. “As a freshman, she has been carrying a lot of responsibility with a selfless mind and heart, always putting the team's best interest first.”
The tough week dropped the Eagles to 11-10-1 on the season. Biola’s next matchup will be at GSAC foe Arizona Christian University on Friday March 11 at 12 p.m.
