Biola Athletics, ranked

The Chimes editors weigh in on the Eagles’ performance.

Zachary Devane and Andi Basista • February 20, 2020

Right-handed pitcher Brayden Englert battles California State University, San Bernadino.

Photo courtesy of Olivia Mays // THE CHIMES

(This story was originally published in print on Feb. 20, 2020).

No. 1: BASEBALL

Sitting at .900, the Biola baseball team is on a five-game winning streak. BU began their 2020 season with four-straight wins, three of which were against California State University, Monterey Bay. The Eagles’ only loss of the season thus far has come at the hands of the California State University, San Bernardino Coyotes, 2-11. The Eagles bounced back from the fluke defeat and steam rolled the University of Colorado Colorado Springs in another four-game reign.

Sophomore pitcher Larson Kindreich has struck out an astounding 35 batters out of 68, throwing 51% from the mound. Junior second baseman RobertAnthony Cruz is hitting at an exceptional level (.400), totalling 10 runs off of 14 hits. Junior designated hitter Ryan Gallegos lies right behind Cruz, batting a .387 off of 12 hits this season.

No. 2: WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

The women’s basketball is on the brink of greatness. Riding at 16-9 overall, the Eagles currently sit in the Top 4 of the PacWest conference, which has earned them a berth in the postseason tournament. They play some of the best defense in the conference, holding PacWest teams to 36% percent shooting on average.

The Eagles are being led offensively by five-time PacWest freshman of the week freshman guard Stephanie Lee, who is averaging 10.3 points-per-game on 43% shooting from 3-point range. Junior forward Junior Jazz Benn is also starring, averaging 10.7 points, five rebounds and three assists per game.

(Stats) Four players averaging 10+ points. 36% opponent field-goal percentage. 34% three point

No. 3: SWIM AND DIVE

Biola swim’s season ended in glory as the men and women both took home third place in the Pacific Collegiate Swim Conference tournament. Two swimmers, freshmen Kolya Vos and Gabe Weber, earned NCAA cuts that could lead to them participating in the Division II championships, though it is unlikely they will advance.

A highlight of the Eagles’ season was their senior night, held during a meet against Concordia University Irvine on Jan. 18. Despite the loss on the scoresheet, the team celebrated the careers of four seniors: Kaylyn Schull, Bethany Harper, Andrew Benson and Raymond Kam.

No. 4: MEN’S BASKETBALL

Men’s basketball is toeing the line of a postseason play entry slot, currently the No. 5 seed in the PacWest conference and 14-11 overall. The Eagles have found success at Chase Gymnasium, winning 10-3 games played at home. As of late, BU has been floundering back and forth from wins and losses. Unable to get a winning streak started, the Eagles are still in a place to make a playoff push with just three games left in the regular season.

Senior guard Marquise Mosley is averaging 15.7 points per game, with junior guard Michael Bagatourian just 0.5 behind him, averaging 15.3 ppg and 7.6 rebounds per game.

(Stats) Averaging 75.8 points per-game. 43% opponent shooting percentage. Junior Michael Bagatourian and senior Marquise Mosley both average 15 points. PacWest leading 78% free throw shooting.

No. 5: SOFTBALL

Having kicked off the season well, the women’s softball team is currently 3-2, including an 8-0 crushing of Stanislaus State. The Eagles are being led by juniors Ruth Munoz and Ari Gonzales. Munoz’s batting average is the highest on the team at .571, and she also leads the team in on-base-percentage at .667. On the mound, junior Paige Austin has a record of 2-1 in her starts and a 2.16 ERA in 16.2 innings pitched.

The Eagles will face their first PacWest opponent of the season this upcoming weekend, Feb. 21-22. The Academy of Art will come to Freedom Field for the four-game series.

No. 6: MEN’S TENNIS

Men’s tennis has been stuck in a rut, trying to fight back from their three-game losing streak. Their season has just started, only five games in at 2-3 overall. The Eagles started the season strong, beating Whittier College (8-1) and Westmont College (7-0) in thrilling fashion.

Sophomore Alexei Prokopchuk and senior Edwyn Ramos are undefeated in their doubles matchups at 2-0. Senior Derek James and Prokopchuk have been slaying the singles matches, 4-1 overall each. James is on a four-game winning streak within the singles matches.

No. 7 WOMEN’S TENNIS

Women’s tennis is in the midst of a rough patch at 2-5 overall. Despite the four-game losing streak, including losses to Azusa Pacific University and Concordia University Irvine, the Eagles have something to look forward to. Many of their players are doing well, including star freshman Colbyshae Emery, who is 5-2 in her singles matches thus far. Partners sophomore Ines Diaz and junior Allison Torres are leading the Eagles in the doubles teams, 3-1 overall.

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About the Contributors

Zachary Devane, Deputy Sports Editor

Zach Devane is a sophomore journalism major from Indio, California. He loves Jesus, the Los Angeles Lakers and will eat chicken in almost any form. Hi! I am from Indio, California, home of the famous Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. I know it sounds like a dream come true to live so close to where all the excitement and chatter takes place, but I assure you that hundreds of thousands of people flooding your hometown for three weeks straight is more like a nightmare. Fun fact, I have lived in Indio for 17 of my 20 years of life and I have only been to Coachella once. The people I look up to most in my life are my parents. My father grew up playing basketball in Los Angeles and ever since I was a little kid he wanted to make sure that I would be a “BALLER!” (which he also called himself very often, and was just as often met with an eye-roll from my mother). Although I never made it to the NBA, my love for basketball, and sports in general, has never waned. I get excited to watch a game, hear sports talk on the radio, or even read/write an article about sports, even if I am a NARP. I decided to combine my love for sports with a love for storytelling here at the Chimes. Sports in their nature are inspiring. They call for one to go beyond what they think is possible in order to achieve a goal, and when one does so, that story should be heard. I want to tell these stories here at Biola and hopefully inspire a generation of students to reach for more.

Andi Basista, News Editor

Andi Basista is a senior journalism major who loves basketball, underground music and is highly appreciative of a good beach day. [email protected] Originally from a small farm town in Ohio, I have put aside my corn shucking gloves to embrace a new life in the Angel City to study sports journalism. It is true what they say about culture shock and LA traffic. I am used to being late to work because of getting stuck behind a John Deere tractor, but now it is because of gridlock on the I5. However, I have quickly adjusted to the city life and haven’t looked back since. I moved from the midwest out to Los Angeles over two years ago. Since then my life has changed in big ways. I have learned the importance of pursuing my dreams in order to make them a reality. Sports have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. From the time I was able to stand up on my own, there was always a ball in my hand. Basketball quickly became my MO. I was involved in multiple athletic organizations, traveling on AAU teams and playing my way through my middle and high school league. My passion for the sport is what inspired me to pursue a career in sports journalism. Being at a place like Biola that has an abundance of opportunities has allowed me to expand from my small-town roots, and that is something I am truly thankful for.