La Mirada, CA- In oddly similar fashion, #18 Arizona Christian was swept by Biola on Saturday with both games resulting in scores of 5-4.  Junior Sianna Gomez had a big day going 5-9 with a double and five RBI.

Along with the same score the oddly similar facts of the day were both teams scored in the same increments (three runs and one run for ACU and two runs, one run, and two runs again for Biola) with the Eagles scoring the game winning runs in their final at bats of each game.  BU also scored their five runs on nine hits in both games.

To begin their very early twin bill (8:00 am start due to threat of rain), the Firestorm (28-12-1, 12-6 GSAC) cashed in an unearned run.  The Eagles (20-22-1, 6-9 GSAC) countered with a two run home run in the bottom of the first.

In the second inning, ACU scored three runs when five of the first six batters reached base safely.  Sophomore Ashlynn Preciado was hit by pitch to start the inning.  Senior Jackie Aguilar dropped down a sacrifice bunt for the one out.  Freshman Jenna Castilleja singled through the left side.  Gomez scored Preciado with a single down the left field line.  Senior Alyssa Vanderdrink singled to load the bases.  Senior Abby Beasley walked to drive in Castilleja.  Gomez came home on a fielder's choice by Junior Kylie Christman for a 4-2 lead.

Unfortunately, after scoring in the first two innings ACU would not score again the rest of the game.  Their best chance came in the sixth when they left the bases loaded.  In total, ACU left 11 runners on base in the first game.

Biola continued to show off their power as they produced a solo home run in the bottom of the second.  The score remained 4-3 until the bottom of the sixth when BU produced the game winning runs on another two run home run.

Aguilar gave up all three home runs and therefore all five runs as she fell to 13-5 on the season.

Game two saw the Eagles score the first run on yet another home run in the second.

Still down 1-0 headed to the top of the fourth, Arizona Christian loaded the bases ahead of Gomez (Preciado hit by pitch, Castilleja walked, and Freshman Anely Marcilla singled).  Gomez did not disappoint as she shot a double into the right center field gap to clear the bases.

Biola immediately tied the score again with a two run double just inside the right field line.

The teams remained tied at 3-3 through seven innings and headed to extras.

In the eighth, Gomez cashed in tie break runner Preciado with another single.  But the Eagles plated two runs in the bottom eighth as they walked off with a sacrifice, walk, and two RBI singles.

Junior Destinee Spencer (10-3) pitched the final four and a third innings and was charged with the loss.

Biola was determined not to let Beasley beat them as they walked her six times on the day with several coming in the form of unintentional intentional walks (nothing close to the strike zone).

Head Coach Trisha Thurston shared these thoughts afterwards, "We flat out did not execute offensively or defensively today.  We left runners stranded and Biola took advantage of our defensive miscues.  We need to have a short memory on this one and move on to fight again tomorrow."

The Firestorm are hoping the third attempt is the charm in getting a double header in with William Jessup.  After two double headers were rained out including on Thursday, the Firestorm and the Warriors are scheduled to play two on Sunday on the neutral field of Biola.  The double header is set for a 10:00 am start.