IRVINE, Calif. — In a rescheduled doubleheader at Eagles Field, Alex Zalasky took to the mound for game one with a 'one pitch at a time' mindset. The junior left-handed pitcher went nine innings and only allowed two runs and five hits against the defending PacWest Champions Azusa Pacific. CUI shortstop Haloa Dudoit also went 6-for-9 on the day with a double and two bunts for a base hit. Concordia took game one 5-2, and dropped game two by a slim margin, 5-4. 
 

Game One: Concordia 5, Azusa Pacific 2

The Eagles put the Cougars under pressure from the first batter. Dudoit laid down a perfect bunt for a base hit and then stole second before senior Nick Grimes hit a drive to right field to score Dudoit from second base. Jair Donovan was hit by the pitch with one out and advanced to second on a wild pitch, Grimes to third. Tony Garcia III crushed a single down the right field line to clear the bases and score both Grimes and Donovan. Next up, Cooper Moore singled to right center but was left on base at the end of the inning. 

The Cougars added one in the top of the third on an RBI single by Tovalin. Dudoit comes through again in the fourth with an RBI single to score Collins. Donovan singled, advanced to second on an error, and scored Dudoit. Concordia held onto the lead through the final five innings, with only one Cougar run allowed in the seventh. CUI took game one 5-2 with 10 total hits. 

Zalasky tossed a gem, leading the Eagles to five total 1-2-3 innings.

"I just tried to get strike one. I just tried to go out there and dominate the strike zone early and then get in some counts where I can go and attack these guys," Zalasky said. "I was just trying to control my breathing, we've been working on that as a team over the last week. So I just made sure I got a breath in and focused on the pitch ahead of me and kept pounding the zone."

Game Two: Azusa Pacific 5, Concordia 4

Concordia carried its offensive momentum over into the first inning of game two, with a six hit series. Dudoit started the rally with a bunt for a base hit and was scored immediately after when Grimes bunted for a single and the pitcher overthrew the first baseman. Then, Moore smacked a double to right center to score Grimes. Bailey Collins launched a two-run home run over the right field fence to make the Eagles lead 4-1 in the first inning. Shane Hersh and Colin Villegas both singled up the middle and were left on base. 

Collins' home run in the first inning marked the last of Concordia's scoring plays in the nightcap. APU scored four of their five runs in the second inning. After a seven inning game two, Azusa Pacific earned the win 5-4.

"Today, I was trying to keep things simple and not try to do too much and eventually the process will come out in my favor," said Dudoit. "As a team, we were looking to push the envelope and compete more and not really give anything away. We're good enough make the best out of any situation."

On Deck

The Green and Gold begin PacWest conference play at Eagles Field this Saturday, March 9 against Hawai'i Pacific. The doubleheader is scheduled for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. with another double date with the Sharks scheduled for Monday, March 11 starting at noon.

For the full CUI baseball schedule, click here.