IRVINE, Calif. - The Concordia baseball team hosted a non-conference match against Azusa Pacific, the 2019 PacWest champions this afternoon, with the Eagles coming out on top by a commanding score 14-7. Although each team had 15 hits a-piece, the Eagles were able to execute both offensively and defensively to compete with the Cougars.

Sophomore Noah McBride pitched three innings, allowing six hits and four runs. Chase Lyford came in to pitch another two innings for the Eagles, collecting his first win of the season. Carpenter Pagett came on the mound at the top of the ninth to close out the game for the Eagles. 

"I thought we were aggressive at the plate and the whole team brought a lot of energy and it was just really fun to play," said CUI catcher Tony Garcia III. "I'm really proud of our pitchers and they've been working really hard," added Garcia. "They've been able to slow the game down and if something doesn't go their way, they forget about it and move on to the next pitch."

Cooper Moore is currently hitting .353 and went 4-for-5 on the day with 5 RBI and a home run, making that his fourth home run of the season. Jair Donovan went 3-for-6 on the day, adding a triple and 2 RBI for the Eagles.  

"I'm ecstatic right now. We're putting up runs, putting up hits, we're all playing as a team and playing selfless, it's one of those things that makes a great team and I love it," said Donovan.

Just as the Cougars took an early 1-0 lead over the Eagles, the CUI offense took no time to act and take the lead from APU. With bases loaded and no outs, Moore came up to the plate and hit a 2 RBI single up the middle bringing home Haloa Dudoit and Matt Lautz. Tony Garcia III and Shane Hersh took advantage of the opportunity to bring more players around the bags, both collecting an RBI on a sacrifice fly and another single, taking a 4-1 lead over Azusa.

The green and gold continued their momentum in the next inning starting at the top of the order, taking a 10-3 lead just in the second inning. Almost every Eagle played a role in an RBI in that inning adding another five hits and six runs to the board. Although the Eagles allowed 15 hits, the defense was able to hold the Cougars to only seven runs.

"Kudos to the guys today for playing and having fun and not working the game." said head coach Joe Turgeon." Last time out against APU, we were really working the game and today the guys just played Eagle baseball."

CUI (6-3) will be back in action on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. against the Westcliff Warriors. To follow live stats and watch the video live stream for the game, please click here.

For the full CUI baseball schedule, click here.