OAKLAND, Calif. — In its final series of an eight game road trip, Concordia Baseball(15-17, 10-7 PWC) headed to Academy of Art for game one of four on Thursday. Concordia came out on top, securing the PacWest victory 5-3. 

Academy of Art is picked fourth in the PacWest Preseason Poll right behind Concordia and returns Ben Kaser, who is the Preseason Pitcher of the Year. The senior is coming off a strong season for the Urban Knights where he earned six wins in 12 starts throwing 75 innings. The Urban Knights finished 2018 with a 24-25 record, including an impressive 17-9 mark in home games. 

In tonight's game, Eagles offense got up early and held the lead late in the game to hand Kaser the loss. Brett Vansant threw eight innings and allowed six hits and three runs. In the ninth, Morgan Brannock got the final three outs on the bump and earned the save.

Nick Grimes is batting .361 on the season and went 3-for-3 on the night with three singles. Jair Donovan crushed his eighth home run of the season to score Haloa Dudoit and give the Eagles an early 2-0 lead. 

Concordia scored again in the sixth, in a rally started by none other than third baseman, Grimes. The senior singled up the middle and was followed by a walk and a bunt for a base hit by Matt Lautz. Grimes then scored on a fielders choice and Concordia led 3-0. 

Academy of Art strung together some offense in the bottom of the inning with a few singles and an RBI double that scored two. 

The Eagles added a couple security runs in the eighth. The inning began, once again, with a single up the middle by Grimes. A passed ball, a few stolen bases and two fielders choices later, Concordia snuck two runs past the Urban Knights and finished the game with a 5-3 victory. 

Up Next

CUI Baseball continues the series with ARTU on Friday, April 5 in a doubleheader slated for noon and 3 p.m. Follow the action HERE.