Magnificent Morinishi

Biola Softball gets bailed out by a remarkable relief effort by Jennifer Morinishi.

Recap, photo courtesy of Biola

LA MIRADA, Calif. --- When Jennifer Morinishi came in to pitch with two runners on and no outs in the top of the third inning the entire game turned on its head on Monday night at Freedom Field. At the time, Hawaii Pacific held a 2-0 lead and was threatening for more scoring but the feisty freshman held them at bay and ultimately led Biola to a 6-2 win.
Including a 1-2-3 first inning of work to get out of the jam, Morinishi managed five complete innings of work and allowed just three hits while striking out three and walking none. She ended the game retiring the last nine batters she faced in order.
During the relief appearance, Mornishi allowed just one base runner past first base and none got further than second. The Eagles' offense did its job in the bottom half of the third, fourth and fifth innings to help the freshman get her second win of 2019.
Biola's bats took a 3-2 lead through the end of the third inning. The game-tying run crossed the plate in the form of Kylie Velasco who clobbered her third homer of the season - a two-run shot.
The third run of the inning would be plated when a Missy Poti sacrifice fly allowed Hailey Boyett to come home after she was pushed to third base by a Kayla Neff double.
Neff played a big role in the Eagles' offense in the nightcap on Monday, going 3-for-3, including leaving the yard for a team-high fourth time this season.
Her homer came in the bottom of the fifth and capped the game's scoring at 6-2. The other Biola runs came one inning earlier on a Morinishi RBI groundout and a hustle play that saw Areana Ramos score on a flyball dropped by the HPU catcher.