Biola softball fell to No. 11 Concordia in both games of Tuesday’s doubleheader.
It was a hard blow after recently improving in the rankings after sweeping Vanguard in a doubleheader Saturday afternoon.
The Eagles dropped the first game 3-0, struggling to produce any kind of offense. Biola was only able to get three hits in seven innings of the first game. Offense seemed to be nonexistent as Eagles dropped their first game of the doubleheader.
The second game seemed to show more resilience, and the Eagles came out swinging. Biola’s offense exploded, with the Eagles scoring five runs on eight hits in just the first three innings.
Senior Keena Levert’s home run, her third of the season, was the catalyst for Biola’s offensive spark. Senior Kacie Lyding kept the momentum going with a single base hit, and later moved to second base when junior Morgan Facchini was hit by a pitch. Sophomore Sara Smith brought in a run with a sacrifice squeeze play, leaving the Eagles leading 2-0.
With the bases loaded and two outs in the inning, sophomore Lyndsie Roberts decided to join in on the scoring, driving in two more runs on a single base hit to center field. Robert’s hit gave the Eagles a commanding 4-0 lead with momentum in their favor.
Concordia came up to bat at the bottom of the third inning and came away empty. Biola added one more run off a Facchini double to push the lead to five runs. Biola was able to hold Concordia to five scoreless innings before they mounted back.
In the sixth inning, Concordia began to show some life. They scored two runs in the sixth inning to cut the deficit to four runs, swinging some momentum in their favor.
The seventh inning looked all too similar to the first game for Biola. The Eagles went three and out, hoping their defense could secure a victory for them. Concordia’s first batter reached third base on an infield error. Sophomore Kristin Larson struck out the next batter and forced a pop fly. With two outs and a four-run lead, victory for Biola looked secured. But things quickly crumbled for the Eagles.
Katie Carson of Concordia hit a single and drove in the runner at third base. With two people on base, the next batter was walked. The bases were loaded and Biola was leading by two at this point. Lizette Fernandez stepped up to the plate and drove in two runs on a double to tie the game. Another batter was walked and the bases were loaded again. Shannon Walton hit a single up the middle of the field to score the winning run.
Biola dropped to 12-11 overall and 5-7 in GSAC play. The team will now take a break from GSAC play to participate in the Sun West Tournament hosted by Chapman University. The Eagles will play Thursday at Hart Park in Orange against Hamline University and the University of St. Thomas.
The Eagles resume conference play March 28 against Point Loma Nazarene.
