April 4, 2007

LA MIRADA, Calif. - Katie Gustaveson pitched a four-hit shutout and Lindsay Nuckolls drove in the only two runs of the game with a two-out double in the fifth as No. 16 Biola knocked off No. 1 California Baptist 2-0 in the second game of a GSAC doubleheader on Thursday afternoon at Freedom Field.

The Eagles (22-8, 8-6 GSAC), who were beat 9-1 in a six-inning game in the opener, snapped the Lancers' 33-game winning streak with the win in game two and handed them their first GSAC loss of the season. Cal Baptist dropped to 36-2 overall and 11-1 in conference play.

Gustaveson (10-5) was engaged in a great pitcher's dual with one of the NAIA's best pitchers in Cal Baptist's Amy Thomas. Gustaveson allowed just four hits--three of which were infield singles, struck out four and did not allow a walk to pick up the win. She retired the side in order four times and set down the last seven batters of the game.

Biola picked up the only runs of the game with two outs in the fifth inning. Amerra Kesterson started the rally by reaching on a CBU error, followed by a sharp single to left by Sarah Jensen. Nuckolls then sent a shot into the left-centerfield gap to score both runners and give Gustaveson the cushion she needed.

The Lancers nearly pulled off a similar two-out rally in the top of the fifth as three straight infield singles loaded the bases. However, Nuckolls made a great diving play and flipped to Jensen at first to end the threat.

Nuckolls finished the day going 2-for-4 with two doubles, two walks, a run scored and two RBIs. She also made a number of great defensive plays to keep the Eagles in the game.

Thomas (18-1) was tagged with her first loss of the season, surrendering five hits in six innings with both runs against her being unearned.

Biola dropped the opener by a 9-1 count as the Lancers pounded out 12 hits including a pair of home runs. Emily Gray, who allowed just two earned runs, suffered the loss to fall to 8-3 on the season.

The big blow of the game came in the second inning when a two-out error by the Eagles allowed three unearned runs to score, giving the Lancers an early 4-0 lead.

Biola got its lone run of the game in the fourth Nuckolls led the inning off with a double to right and scored on a single to right field by Krista Johnson.

Nikki Lowe went 3-for-7 for the Lancers in the twinbill with a home run and two RBIs.

The Eagles have now won 12 of their last 14 games and are 4-2 against the NAIA's top-10 teams over that stretch.