Softball Shut Out in Double-Header at #21 Biola
February 6, 2007

Complete Box Scores »»  Game 1     Game 2

After pulling a shocking upset of #10 Concordia on Saturday, the inaugural Cougars softball team got a belated welcome to the NAIA on Tuesday.

Biola University, the 21st ranked team in the nation, shut down the Cougars in both ends of a double-header, winning 9-0 and 8-0, respectively. Both games were called after five innings. Cougar softball is now 1-3 in its inaugural season, though that record comes in games on the road against ranked teams. Still, Tuesday's losses were disappointing.

"We came out flat," said Head Coach Jennifer Milo. "We weren't ready to play."

Biola jumped out to big leads in the first innings of both games. In the first contest, Amerra Kesterson got things started with a triple, and Sarah Jensen walked. An error allowed Kesterson to score, and after a strikeout and hit-by-pitch, Holly Jackson cleared the bases with a double to give the Eagles a 4-0 lead.

More defensive mishaps plagued the Cougars in the second. A Linsdsay Nuckolls single drove in two more runs, both unearned. In the third, a dropped fly ball sparked another Eagles rally, with Jensen driving in 2 more runs with a single and Keena Levert picking up the final RBI with a sac fly.

The 9-0 lead would be all that the Eagles would need, as starter Katie Gustaveson held CSUSM in check in allowing 4 hits and 3 walks over 5 scoreless innings.

Cougar ace Melissa Lerno was knocked out after just 2.1 innings. She was responsible for all 9 runs, but only 1 was earned. Erica Coelho pitched 1.2 innings of scoreless ball before the game was called.

Game two would follow a similar pattern. Biola would jump out to an early lead off Coelho, tallying 4 runs off 4 hits in the first inning. Jacquie Hudson drove in two runs with a single, and Jensen and Nuckolls picked up one RBI each.

The Eagles pushed across three more runs in the third, knocking out Coelho in the process. She allowed 7 runs (6 earned) over her 2.1 innings, and was relieved by Lerno, who gave up 1 run in 1.2 innings of work. Biola got four innings of one-hit ball out of starter Emily Gray, and Tatiana Garcia pitched a scoreless 5th to close out the contest.

While it was a rough day, Coach Milo is confident that the young team will bounce back for the big home opener on Saturday. Cougar fans are welcome to make their way to Mission Hills High and watch the historic event for CSUSM as the team takes on Vanguard University. The first pitch is at noon, and fans will be treated to Mr. Taco catering and giveaways - so come out and support your softball squad!