LA MIRADA, Calif. -- In the final game of a hard fought series, a four run fifth by the Eagles made the difference in Academy of Art's 7-2 loss on Saturday afternoon at Eagles Diamond.

"This was another very hard fought series," said head coach Dan McDermott. "The top of our lineup did a great job putting the play in play, Delgadillo, Smith and Summers set the table all weekend. Mora and Daubin also contributed some quality at-bats."

A two run shot by Jerron Largusa scored the first two runs of the game in the bottom of the third to give Biola a 2-0 lead. The home run was the first hit off junior pitcher Matthew Sanchez who was dealing to that point with four strikeouts through only 2.2. ART U got the two runs back next half inning. Junior shortstop Justin Summers led the inning off with a single to third base before senior second baseman Elijah Smith drove him in with his ninth career triple to move into second on the ART U career triples list. Smith is just one triple away from tying the record set by Stefen Henderson in 2013. Smith also extended his hit streak to seven with the three bagger and scored shortly after on a wild pitch to tie the game. Junior outfielder Thomas Delgadillo stuck with Smith and pushed his hitting streak to seven with his leadoff knock in the first.

The Eagles did most of their damage in the bottom of the fifth, scoring four runs on a fielding error that scored one and a three run home run shortly after. Biola kept control of the game, picking up one more run in the sixth to win game four 7-2.

"The biggest difference at the end of the day was our defense," commented McDermott. "We made some costly miscues that allowed them to take those close games. If those don't happen we could have been looking at three wins this series instead of one. Again, something to really focus on as we prepare for our upcoming series against Azusa Pacific."

After the loss, Academy of Art moves to 14-20 on the year and 6-17 in conference. The Urban Knights will be back in the Bay April 19-20 to face Azusa Pacific in their final home series of the season.