SAN MARCOS, Calif. – The No. 12 Cal State San Marcos softball team split its doubleheader on Thursday afternoon with No. 14 Biola, taking down the Eagles 1-0 in game one before dropping game two, 4-1, at CSUSM Softball Field.

The Cougars move to 18-4 overall while BU adjusts to 15-7.

CSUSM now has two weeks off due to Sunday's doubleheader being canceled against La Sierra. The Cougars' next contests will take place Monday, March 23 at Azusa Pacific.

Game 1

Robyn Alvara's two-out RBI single in the bottom of the fifth provided the difference and Ashley Dagenais (10-2) delivered a four-hit complete game shutout as the Cougars downed the Eagles, 1-0.

Biola reliever Kimmy Triolo (2-2) chose to walk Naomi Amu with two outs in the fifth instead of challenging the NAIA's homerun leader with the score tied, 0-0. It seemed like the strategy would work as Triolo got two strikes on Alvara, but Amu then took second on a wild pitch.

Alvara followed with a single up the middle, just CSUSM's second hit of the game, and Amu came around from second to provide the game-winner.

Dagenais did not allow a runner past second base the entire game and earned her NAIA-leading 10^th victory of the season. She walked one and struck out one.

CSUSM had the bases loaded with one-out twice early in the game but nothing came of it each time. In total, the Cougars had 10 runners left on base.

Biola starter Reba DePriest did not allow a hit, but was pulled in the third inning after her seventh walk of the game. Triolo allowed just three hits the rest of the way.

Game 2

The Cougars' woes with runners in scoring position continued in game two while the Eagles took advantage of their opportunities in a 4-1 victory.

Biola turned a Cougar error into a run in the top of the first, but CSUSM answered right away. Caylyn Rodriguez led-off with a double before Alvara knocked her in with another RBI single.

BU put up two more in the second inning, but it was no fault of CSUSM starter Katie Wilkinson (8-3). Kasey Hormel hit a sharp grounder off the leg off Wilkinson with two outs and the ball got away, allowing the runner to score all the way from second base. Selina Sherlin then followed with an RBI single that made it 3-1 BU.

CSUSM loaded the bases in the bottom of the third with one out, the third time of the day that the situation had occurred. But, DePriest (9-2) struck out Alvara and Brogan Hoenisch to escape the jam.

In the fifth, CSUSM put runners on first and third with one out, but Alvara lined out and pinch-runner Holly Fauria was doubled-up on the play.

Back-to-back doubles by Biola in the top of the seventh made it 4-1.

CSUSM left seven more runners on base in game two.