A five-run first inning from Biola University against the University of La Verne proved to be the difference as the Eagles earned a 9-4 triumph in the Leos' season opener Monday at Eagle Diamond in La Mirada.

Biola's first four batters reached based on three walks and a double to take a 1-0 lead with the bases loaded.  Trever Blood followed with a grand slam to stake the Eagles to a 5-0 lead after one inning. 

La Verne pushed a run across in the second as Matt Proulx singled home Mike Surina to narrow the lead to 5-1.  The Eagles answered with a pair of runs in the second and a run in both the third to extend its advantage to 9-1.

The Leopards plated another run in the fifth when Jason Munoz singled and eventually scored on a wild pitch.  In the eighth, Munoz delivered with a two-run single that scored Proulx and Ramos.

Munoz finished 2-5 at the plate with 2 RBI and a run scored.  Collectively the Leopards had 8 hits.

Blood's grand slam highlighted a 6 RBI day for the Long Beach State transfer, who went 3-4 with a pair of RBI singles. 

The Leopards head to Anthem, Arizona to take on Linfield (OR) on Thursday in the first of four games at the Arizona Desert Classic.