Biola baseball kicked off a four-game series against Hawaii Hilo University Wednesday afternoon at 3 p.m. The Eagles showed depth in their hitting lineup, with three home runs from three different players in a 7-3 win.
ALL TIED UP
The game began scoreless in the first inning, but quickly turned competitive in the second inning as the Vulcans hit a home run and batted in a second run on an error. Hawaii Hilo was up 2-0 at the beginning of the third inning and added a third run to the board after a sacrifice fly. The Eagles responded in the bottom of the third with singles from freshman designated hitter Miguel Abascal and senior catcher Anj Bourgeios. Senior third baseman Joey Magro hit a home run to to tie up the game, 3-3.
STRONG PITCHING
Junior pitcher Josh Ludeman kept the energy high, allowing only one hit from the Vulcans at the top of the fourth. Sophomore outfielder Brandon Cody singled while Hilo walked Abascal, advancing Cody to second. The Eagles had the game tied in the fifth inning when Margo was hit by a pitch and advanced to first base. Ludeman again held the Vulcans scoreless in the fifth and sixth innings, yet the Eagles struggled to put another run on the board and the tie continued.
“A lot of practice hitting, being out here everyday and staying consistent with my approach, the rest takes care of itself,” said senior outfielder Jarron Largusa on hitting home runs.
EAGLES ON TOP
The Eagles ended the top of the seventh with a double play from sophomore shortstop Connor Kostecka to sophomore first baseman Jackson Collins securing the last two outs. Largusa hit a line drive down right field for a double. He then advanced to third after a hit from Collins and finally crossed home plate off a single from junior outfielder RJ Bates. Biola held their ground with a score of 4-3 at the top of the eighth after sophomore pitcher Honus Kindreich took to the mound. Abascal singled and freshman outfielder Tyler Baca took his place as a pinch hitter, stealing second and running home on a hit from Magro to make the score 5-3.
“We did a really good job today of winning [innings] 7, 8 and 9. The last three innings is somewhere we have struggled up until this point and the last couple weeks we have done a good job of winning innings late in the game,” said assistant coach Jonathan Munoz. “So I think we will carry this momentum into the game tomorrow.”
HOME RUNS ALL AROUND
Biola held their ground with a score of 5-3 at the top of the eighth after sophomore pitcher Honus Kindreich took to the mound. The Eagles displayed their dominance toward the end of the eighth inning when sophomore second baseman RobertAnthony Cruz hit a homer to right center. Largusa followed suit with a home run to left field, bringing the score to 7-3.
Freshman pitcher Brayden Englert closed out the game for the Eagles, making the final score 7-3 Biola.
The Eagles will be back out on Eagles Diamond at 3 p.m. tomorrow for game two against Hawaii Hilo.
