On a multi-game day on Feb. 17 in Tucson, Ariz., the Eagles went 3-0, outscoring their opponents by a total of 18-1. The Franklin Pierce University Ravens, Lubbock Christian University Chaps and Western Oregon University Wolves became the victims of Biola’s scintillating offense and shutdown pitching.
STARTING WITH A BANG
The first game of the day ended in the fifth inning, as the Eagles run-ruled the Ravens. The Ravens took a 1-0 lead in the first inning, but Biola dominated from there on out. Eight unanswered runs and a solid complete game performance from sophomore starting pitcher Kaile Chavez resulted in an 8-1 win. The offense put on a show in the second inning, as the first five batters reached base and would eventually cross home plate. Sophomore outfielder Karen Lieng hit a triple to drive in two of those runs and then scored off a wild pitch on the next at bat. Junior outfielder Areana Ramos also sparked the offense with two doubles, two runs and two RBIs.
DEFENSE DOMINANT IN GAMES TWO AND THREE
The Ravens got the only run of the day against the Eagle’s stout pitching, as Lubbock Christian and Western Oregon could not overcome a pair of impressive performances from junior starting pitcher Terri Van Dagens. In the first game against the Chaps, Van Dagens allowed only one hit through four innings of work. She handed the ball off to freshman relief pitcher Paige Austin, who pitched well in the fifth and sixth innings, but got a little scare in the seventh. Lubbock loaded the bases with two outs, but Austin struck out the next batter to secure the 4-0 win for the Eagles. Sophomore outfielder Jay Perez and senior third baseman Selina Sherlin led the offensive charge with two runs and two RBI, respectively.
Van Dagens also pitched the next game against the Western Oregon Wolves. After four scoreless innings, freshman pitcher Paula Damas took over and pitched three shutout innings of her own. Sophomore outfielder Haley Martinez scored three runs and freshman outfielder Noel Balderston recorded four RBI to take care of things on the offensive end, leading the Eagles to a third victory of the day by a score of 5-0.
Next up for the Eagles is a home doubleheader against Marymount Collegewith the first game starting at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 22.
