SAN RAFAEL, Calif. – Dominican softball held a lead for five innings in the second game of a doubleheader against Biola, but was swept 11-6, 6-3 Wednesday afternoon at Penguin Field.
 
Senior infielder Dahlen Dennis led the Penguins (7-27, 4-20 PacWest) from the plate with a 3-for-5 day with three RBI, two walks and a run. Senior catcher Alexis Chinchilla and freshman outfielder Peyton Mott each went 2-for-4 in the first game with two RBI. Junior outfielder McKenzie Schumacher went 2-for-2 with a walk, triple and two stolen bases in the second game.
 
Kalie Chavez got the first win from the circle for the Eagles (20-12, 15-7 PacWest) allowing one earned run in 5.2 innings of relief. Paige Austin pitched a complete game and struck out seven for the win in the second game.
 
Game one
 
Both teams started the game on fire from the plate leading to early exits by both starting pitchers. The Eagles saw the first seven batters of the game reach safely as they scored seven runs on seven hits. Missy Poti and Jennifer Morinishi each drove in two runs for Biola in the inning.
 
The Penguins answered with seven of their first eight batters reaching base with Mady Christensen leading the charge early with a single to left. Alyssa Ramirez singled to left center with the bases loaded during the rally to score the first two runs for Dominican. After Dennis walked to load the bases back once again, Chinchilla roped a ball down the left-field line to bring home two more to cut the Eagles lead to 7-4. Karitza Reyes singled on a blooper in between the center and left fielders on the next at bat to cut the lead to two as we headed to the second.
 
Schumacher saw a lot of action in the top of the second as she finished off a clean inning for the Penguins with a diving catch out in right center to keep the momentum rolling. Mott collected her second hit of the game in the bottom of the frame on a ball that took a big hop over the second baseman's glove. After Haley Cheek drew her second walk, Dennis singled to shallow center to bring home Mott and cut the lead to one.
 
Rosa Leguria kept the Eagles in check over the next two innings, but Dominican was unable to capitalize and take the lead. Poti led off the top of the fifth with a single to left center and Hailey Boyett singled through the right side to put the pressure back on the Penguins' defense. A sacrifice bunt moved the runners into scoring position for pinch hitter Kylie Velasco and Velasco singled to right center to bring home one. Leguria left the next batter looking on a strike out, but Kayla Neff doubled and Areana Ramos singled to score two more runs and extend the lead to 11-6.
 
Chinchilla rolled her ankle on a bat in front of the box in the top of the seventh and Dominican held its breath to see if its senior catcher could stay in the game. Chinchilla walked it off and in the next at bat Christensen scooped up a ball at second, tagged the runner and threw over to Cheek at first for the double play. Dominican was unable to close the gap in the final frame.
 
Game two
 
Biola struck first in the second game as Ruth Munoz walked and Ramos and Poti followed with back-to-back singles to bring her home. Christensen snagged a soft line drive for the second out before a ground ball to Ramirez at third ended the threat. Christensen drew a lead-off walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice. After a groundball moved Christensen to third, Cheek was hit by a pitch and stole second to put two runners in scoring position with two outs. Dennis came through with a clutch double over the right fielder's head to give the Penguins their first lead of the series at 2-1.
 
The Eagles looked to answer quickly as Velasco narrowly beat out a double at second base to lead off the top of the second and Morinishi singled up the middle and advanced to second on the throw home. After the next batter lined out to Christensen at second, Waltman knocked down a hard hit back to the circle and threw to first for the second out and Dominican left the runners stranded.
 
Ramos led off the third with a double to right center and advanced to third on a single by Ari Gonzalez, but a throw by Schumacher from center held her there. Ramirez then caught Ramos in a pickle in between home and third, and the Penguins were able to tag both her and Gonzalez on the play for an inning ending double play.
 
Schumacher tripled to left center with the outfielders playing in to lead off the bottom of the frame. Mott brought her across the plate with a sac fly to right to extend the lead to 3-1.
 
The Eagles were finally able to string together hits in the top of the sixth as Velasco sparked them with a single that took a high hop over Ramirez's glove at third base. Morinishi and Kayla Neff each doubled and two runs crossed the plate to tie the game. Munoz singled home the go ahead run with Ramos and Poti each adding RBI singles to make it 6-3.
 
Dominican will return to the diamond Thursday morning to make out a rained out game against Concordia University Irvine at 9 a.m. PDT at Penguin Field. Live stats will be available online.