With the stellar performance of senior starting pitcher Eric Diomartich and a home run from junior first baseman Jimmy Gallarda, Biola bested the No. 4 Menlo College Oaks 4-2. The Eagles, who came in as the fifth seed, avoided an elimination game and advanced onto the second round of the Golden State Athletic Conference tournament undefeated.

With two outs in the top of the second, senior leftfielder Aaron Chavez scored the first run of the game after coaxing a bases loaded walk. Two innings later, Gallarda sent his third homerun of the season into right center fielder, giving the Eagles a 2-0 lead. Despite leading off the top of the fifth with a solo home run, the Oaks proved unable to catch up to the Eagles, who later scored two runs in the eighth off a single from junior rightfielder Jeremy Barth and an RBI groundout hit by Gallarda.

Diomartich led the Eagles through one of his best outings of the season. Now holding a 5-5 season record, Diomartich pitched 8.1 innings and allowed only four hits and two runs with eight strikeouts. Although he gave up one run in the bottom of the ninth, sophomore right-handed pitcher Daniel Jang took care of the last two batters and earned his fourth save of the season.

With their victory against the Oaks, Biola quickly turns to face the top ranked Westmont College Warriors on Monday, May 9 at 3 p.m.

For a complete schedule of the GSAC tournament, check out the Westmont College Baseball website for more information.