IRVINE, Calif. – Friday's non-conference doubleheader against Point Loma was a day to remember for Concordia's Matt Lautz.

With his father and grandparents in the stands, the senior centerfielder delivered a five-hit day with four singles and a walk-off home run down the left field line to help the Eagles sweep a twin bill with the visiting Sea Lions.

The Eagles (9-3 overall, 0-0 PacWest) also received solid pitching throughout the afternoon with seven different pitchers helping hold the Sea Lions (4-6, 0-0 PacWest) at bay.

Game 1: CUI 5, Point Loma 4

The opener of the series featured solid pitching as Brett Vansant brought some of his best stuff to the table while the Sea Lions sent their ace Zack Noll to the mound.

Vansant navigated through 5.1 innings by allowing eight hits but only two runs to cross the plate. He also struck out six batters. Chase Lyford relieved him in the sixth before handing off to Isaiah Bettencourt. Both relievers struck out a pair over 1.1 innings of work each.

Noll took a no-hitter into the fifth before Bailey Collins broke it up by slicing a single to left. Collins led off the bottom of the seventh with a single as well to start a key CUI rally.
The Eagles jumped ahead with a 4-3 lead on a clutch two-run single by Haloa Dudoit to right field that plated Ryan Johnston and Tony Garcia III.

CUI closer Carpenter Pagett took the mound in the ninth looking to secure the save. The Sea Lions were able to scrap the game-tying run together, but could not take the lead before both teams headed to the bottom of the ninth.

In a very unorthodox ending to a game, Lautz hit a laser down the left field line that appeared to clear the fence very close to the yellow foul pole. Originally the call on the field was foul, but the umpires discussed the call and ultimately overturned it to be fair. That meant Lautz had just won the game with a walk-off home run.

VIDEO: Lautz talks about his big day at the plate and his walk-off homer

"Lautz got a good pitch to hit and put a good swing on it," said CUI head coach Joe Turgeon. "With the ball being so close to being fair or foul, getting the umpires together was the right thing to do. In that situation, the home plate umpire is deeper and has a better view and therefore overturned it. Fortunately, for the Eagles we were on the winning part of that call."

Game 2: CUI 5, Point Loma 3

Second baseman Shane Hersh smashed his first career homer in the bottom of the second to open the scoring. His three-run bomb over the right field fence set the tone as the Eagles would collect 12 hits in game two. Hersh finished the day with a team-best 4 RBI and added some stellar defensive plays at second base.

Dudoit and Lautz led off the fifth inning with back-to-back singles before Jair Donovan sent home Dudoit with a RBI single. CUI took a two-run lead moments later when Lautz scored on a passed ball to make it 5-3.

Alex Zalasky went 3.2 scoreless innings in relief of starter Colton Snyder. Zalasky improved to 1-1 after earning the win.

Freshman pitcher Nathaniel Tapia also earned his first career save by pitching 2.1 innings down the stretch. He protected the lead and only allowed two hits.

"I was extremely proud of the pitchers ability to be present nearly every pitch with a positive mindset," said Turgeon. "We are learning to repeat our process which gives us the best chances to throw quality pitches no matter the circumstances."

Dudoit and designated hitter Cooper Moore each added two hits apiece.

CUI entered the weekend on a four-game winning streak after securing both contests on Friday. Point Loma will host the Green and Gold on Saturday in another non-conference doubleheader.

For the full CUI baseball schedule, click here.