AZUSA, Calif. -- No. 3-seeded Biola scored in every inning off 16 hits en route to a decisive 16-2 victory in 7 innings over No. 5-seeded Purdue North Central in NAIA Baseball Opening Round play. Biola pitcher Mike Frisina limited the Panthers to 2 runs on the mound and second baseman Hawkins Gebbers led the Eagle offense with a 3-for-4 performance, a pair of doubles and home run, and drove in 5 runs.

Purdue North Central shortstop John Selman gave the Panthers their only lead in the first with a early home run to right center. Biola responded with 3 runs later in the inning with a trio of center field doubles by Nick Rotkowitz, Taylor Loop, and Gebbers.

Biola posted 3 more runs in the second, taking advantage of a Purdue North Central error and wild pitch. Eagle center fielder Chris Foreman singled down the first base line, advancing Phil Blazek to second base and Chad Pace to third base. Panther right fielder Dave Dickerson made a throwing error, allowing Pace to score the initial run of the inning. Later in the inning, on Gebbers' at bat, Casey Young's wild pitch advanced Foreman to

home plate and gave Biola a 6-1 lead after 2 innings.

Purdue North Central had an opportunity to cut their 6-2 deficit in the third with a bases loaded situation on one out but Eagle righthander Frisina curbed the rally, striking out Panther infielder Nate Hall and forcing infielder Chris Cappello to an infield fly. The Panthers did not advance past first base for the rest of the game. Meanwhile, Biola expanded their lead with 6 runs in the fourth, with a trio of home runs to left field territory from Hawkins, Loop, and Pace.

Every Biola batter safely reached first base at least once and all but 2 of them had multiple hits in the game. Pitcher Frisina had 5 strikeouts in his first complete game of the season and held the Panthers to only 2 hits in his final 4 innings.

Biola improves to 35-23 and will play tournament host Azusa Pacific later today in another elimination game. Purdue North Central's season ends at 31-24.