IRVINE, Calif. – What can Brown do for you?

If last week's performance was any indication, apparently the answer is give your team a lift at just the right time.

In his first career start as a Concordia Eagle, pitcher Dillon Brown tossed a complete game shutout as the Green and Gold silenced Biola by a commanding score of 4-0 this past Friday.

For his efforts on the mound and between the lines, the Foothill High School alum has been named our latest Newport Rib Company Eagle of the Week.

Brown limited Biola to just four base runners over seven innings. He allowed just three hits and only one walk the entire evening. (Note: This season, the second game in all PacWest Conference baseball doubleheaders are seven innings).

The longtime Angels fan had pitched out of the bullpen earlier in the season, but this was his first time to set the tone on the mound at the beginning of a game.  Instead of trotting out in the middle innings, he got to hear his warm-up song, God Will Cut You Down by Johnny Cash before anyone even stepped into the batter's box.

His path to the mound was different last Friday, but the road for him from Cal State Fullerton to Concordia was also a bit of a winding path after life threw him a curveball a year ago.

"My path to Concordia was something I did not see happening," explained Brown. "Before COVID, I was going to stay at Fullerton and be a graduate assistant there while living with a couple teammates. Then when COVID hit, I reassessed my options for the future. I knew Concordia was going to be the best option education-wise for my future. It definitely hurt at first not ending at Fullerton, but I know this was God's plan and he has put me in this position for a reason. Being able to finish my playing career and start my coaching career at Concordia is something that a year ago I never saw happening, but has been the best thing to every happen to me."

Brown had his best stuff working against Biola. He struck out a career-high nine batters and kept the visitors way off-balance the whole contest.

"I would describe my pitching mentality as being a bulldog on the mound," said Brown. "I know I don't throw the hardest but I can still compete with my stuff and take it one pitch at a time."

He is enrolled in the MCAA program here at Concordia (Master's in Coaching and Athletic Administration) and is relishing his chance to toss a few more frames before his eligibility runs out.

"The chemistry on this team is special," continued Brown. "We have a great group of older guys who are not selfish in any way. The younger guys on the team are open to learning from the other guys and the older guys still know they could learn a thing or two from the younger players as well. That might seem like no big deal but I feel just the mindset and respect that we all have for each other is what has made it so special."

His favorite TV shows include The Mandalorian, Entourage, and Game of Thrones. As memorable as those shows were at their apex, it appears this baseball season will continue to be one that is not long forgotten as well for the right-hander from Santa Ana, California.

Brown and the Eagles are scheduled to face Academy of Art in eight non-conference games over the next two weeks. ART U hosts CUI for doubleheaders on Thursday, April 29 and Friday, April 30. The Green and Gold will host the Urban Knights on Thursday, May 6 and Friday, May 7.

For the updated CUI baseball schedule, CLICK HERE.

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