PLNU nearly lost a five-run lead, but a pickoff ended the game against Biola, the Sea Lions coming away with a 7-6 win Monday at Carroll B. Land Stadium. The win pushed Loma's record to 10-3-1 overall, 2-1 in the GSAC.

What looked like a low-key win, turned out to be anything but. The two conference squads entered the ninth inning with PLNU leading 7-2. The Eagles stormed back with four runs, thanks to erratic Sea Lion relief, and had the tying run at second base with two outs in the ninth. Making matters worse, at the plate was Vinnie Fayard, the man who hit four homers against PLNU last Thursday. Fayard didn't get a chance, however, when the game ended on a pickoff at second base.

Biola took a 2-0 thanks to solo homeruns by Daniel Bodemer and Mac Sullivan. The Sea Lions lept ahead after a six-run bottom of the fourth. PLNU pounded out six hits in the frame highlighted by a two-run single from second baseman Alex Cameron.

Leftfielder Rashad Taylor hit a sac fly that plated center fielder Allen Boyer in the sixth for a 7-2 lead. PLNU starter Chad Blauer was cruising after allowing the pair of early round trippers. He was pulled after getting through eight complete innings.

Reliever Davis Koenig took the ball to start the ninth but walked the first two batters. Maurice Wilhelm entered from the pen and got a hard line drive for out number one but walked the next batter to load the bases. The third PLNU pitcher of the frame, KC Kartch, came in and gave up an RBI hit and a sac fly.

Now the Sea Lions were holding onto a precarious three run advantage. Another walk reloaded the bases again. Eagle Garrett Leon singled in two runs to make the score 7-6. Next up was Fayard and his season tally seven homeruns.

Fayard swung and missed a pitch and the runner at second base, Boone Farrington, took a huge lead before trying to dive back to the bag. Sea Lion catcher Drew Bernard ripped throw shortstop Tyler Kuehl who applied the tag on Farrington and end the game.

Blauer came away with the win to improve to 3-0 on the year. Kartch labored through his two-thirds of an inning but was still credited with the save.

Eagle starter Dale Harter (0-1) was hung with the loss after yielding six earned runs in four innings of work.

Cameron, Steven Winnick and Jack Diamond each had two of PLNU's 10 hits.

The Sea Lions host San Diego Christian Wednesday at 2:00 pm.