02/19/09

Late Runs Lift Eagles Over Lions

Costa Mesa, Calif. - Biola University scored five runs in the final three inning to notch an 8-3 victory over the Vanguard Lions in Golden State Athletic Conference baseball today in Costa Mesa.

The Eagles took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning on a two-run homer by Taylor Loop off Vanguard's starting pitcher Brandon Godfrey. Biola added a lone run in the fourth to stretch the deficit to 3-0.

Vanguard bounced back with two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning as Eric Krzysiak doubled to lead off the inning and scored on a two-out home run by Brett Siegmund. Vanguard tied the game with an unearned run when Nick Akins doubled home Jason Schaniel after he reached base on an Eagle error.

Godfrey worked six complete innings, allowing three earned runs on six hits, and handed the ball over to Mike Anderson with the score tied 3-3 in the top of the seventh. Anderson hit the first Eagle he faced and a throwing error put two runners on with no outs. A sacrifice bunt and a sacrifice fly pushed Biola in front 4-3, but the Eagles added a pair of run-scoring singles for insurance to take a three-run cushion into the bottom of the seventh inning.

Charlie Gausepohl came on in relief for Biola in the bottom of the sixth to work out of a jam he inherited. Gausepohl pitched a perfect seventh inning and eventually earned the win as two more Eagle hurlers combined to pitch the final two innings.

Biola added two runs in the top of the ninth to seal the 8-3 victory and improve to 1-2 in GSAC and 3-8 overall.

Jordan Wishmyer and Matthew Curtis pitched the final 2.2 innings, but Anderson was charged with the loss to drop to 1-2 this season. Krzysiak had two doubles and Siegmund had a homer and a single, combining for over half of VU's seven hits on the day.

The Lions return to the field on Saturday when they host California Baptist (11-2) in a GSAC double header beginning at 11:00 a.m. in Costa Mesa.

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