AZUSA, Calif.—Behind a three-hit outing by starter Troy Stainbrook, Biola University defeated Western Oregon, 8-1, in the Wolves' season opener at the Cougar Baseball Complex on Thursday.

Biola (1-1) scored three runs in the third inning and went on to stake an 8-0 lead before Western Oregon (0-1) managed to avoid the shutout with a single score in the eighth.The Eagles registered 13 hits in the game and used a trio of WOU fielding errors which led to three unearned runs.

Jay Leverett went 2-for-4 at the plate with an RBI while Griffey Halle went 2-for-3 with the run scored for the Wolves.

Stainbrook struck out 10 batters and did not issue a walk over six innings of work. WOU's Criag Grubbe took the loss after lasting 3 2/3 with three runs (two earned) and five hits charged. 

The Wolves will return to the field on Friday with a doubleheader against No. 13-ranked Azusa Pacific (5-0). First pitch against the Cougars is set for 3 p.m. with the second game scheduled at 6 p.m. The two teams will close out the series with a single game on Saturday with a 12 p.m. start.