Biola softball welcomed the Azusa Pacific University Cougars to Freedom Field yesterday afternoon. The doubleheader between rivals showed favor to APU, as the Eagles lost both games to the strong offensive Cougars, 4-9, 2-8.
GAME ONE HEARTBREAK
Game one started off with two instant runs from the Cougars in the top of the first. With Biola stunned by the right-off-the-bat energy from Azusa, they didn’t get their first run of the day until the bottom of the second when freshman shortstop Rilee Ruvalcaba doubled to left center, bringing sophomore outfielder Sicili Brittingham in to score. However, the Cougars bounced right back and ran through home plate six times in the top of the third chapter alone. Biola found themselves down 8-1 and gave their best efforts to regain a chance at a comeback.
The Eagles found a total of three other runs between the bottom of the third and fourth innings thanks to sophomore pitcher Jennifer Morinishi, senior outfielder Haley Martinez and junior shortstop Ruth Munoz. However, Biola was unable to produce further runs the rest of the game as Azusa scored once again in the top of the fifth to make it a final score of 9-4.
GAME TWO STRUGGLES
After a quick break, the rivals were right back into the swing of things and began game two. Once again, the Cougars came out with enough energy to score three runs in the top of the first. Biola responded with a single run from Munoz in the bottom of the first in an attempt to keep the game competitive.
Azusa went cold for three innings, remaining scoreless until the final three innings where they scored a total of five runs. Unfortunately for the Eagles, they did not score again until the bottom of the final inning when freshman first baseman Abie Nowak hit out to centerfield and brought Neff home. The final attempt at a comeback was not great enough, and the Eagles fell defeated again, 2-8.
The Eagles (4-6) will travel down to San Diego, Calif. on March 17 for another doubleheader against the University of San Diego starting at 4 p.m. and the second beginning at 6 p.m.
