IRVINE, Calif. – The Concordia University Irvine baseball team won their season opener on Thursday night, defeating Regis University by a score of 6-2.
The Eagles came out swinging, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first inning.
Tristan Hanoian led off the half with a line drive up the middle for CUI's first hit of the season.
Michael Dixon immediately followed with a hit of his own, while
Jackson Collins walked to quickly load the bases. Senior
Hayden Winters stepped up to the plate and drove in the Eagles' first run of the season on a sac fly to left field, scoring Hanoian.
Two batters later,
Nathan Benefeito drove the ball through the left side of the infield to score two more runs, giving the Green & Gold a quick 3-0 lead. A wild pitch would then allow
Richard Castro to score, plating the fourth run of the inning.
Starting pitcher
Evan Larsen retired the first 10 batters of the game, throwing a perfect first three frames. Larsen would finish the day recording five strikeouts, two walks, and an earned run in 3.2 innings on the mound.
After the Rangers loaded the bases in the fourth inning, junior
Colton Bulger relieved Larsen and subsequently escaped a bases-loaded jam, allowing just one run to score and preserving the lead.
The Eagles cashed in once more in the bottom of the fifth when Collins hit a double down the right field line, scoring Hanoian all the way from first base to increase the lead to 5-2.
Tristan Perrin had the performance of the night for the Eagles, pitching 5.0 innings in relief and earning his first career win. The senior struck out four batters while only surrendering two hits on 76 pitches.
CUI scored their final run of the game in the bottom of the sixth when Hanoian drove in catcher
Kevin Fowler from second base, bringing the score to 6-2. Hanoian finished the game two for three with one RBI and two runs scored.
"How about those Eagles. That was fun, Opening Night under the lights," said Head Coach Joe Turgeon. "It doesn't get much better. Everyone put a lot into tonight and to come out with the W at home means a lot."
Eagles return to action tomorrow, Feb. 4th, at 5:00 PM at Eagles Field. CUI will conclude its four-game series against Regis on Saturday, Feb. 5th, with a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 PM.
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