IRVINE, Calif. – The CUI baseball team won their Friday night matchup against Regis University, improving to 2-0 on the season.
 
Starting pitcher 
Riley O'Sullivan turned in a strong performance on the mound, allowing just two runs in 5.0 innings pitched. The Southwestern College transfer was efficient in his approach against hitters, averaging 12 pitches per inning. O'Sullivan would go on to earn the win, his first as an Eagle.
 
Ryan O'Toole and 
Matt Des Marets pitched in relief, allowing one earned run in the remaining four innings of the game. Des Marets picked up the save after closing out the final 3.0 innings of the game, that being the first save of his collegiate career.
 
The Eagle offense gained momentum in the fourth inning on a double down the left field line by 
Nathan Benefeito for the Green & Gold's first hit of the game. 
Calvin Schonebaum followed that hit with a single through the right side, scoring Benefeito and tying the game at 1-1.
 
After the Rangers regained a one-run lead in the top of the fifth, CUI responded with a two-run single up the middle by Benefeito to score both 
Tristan Hanoian and 
Michael Dixon to take a 3-2 lead.
 
Over the next two innings, the CUI offense would plate seven more runs on five hits to take a commanding 10-2 lead. Hanoian, Dixon, Benefeito, and 
Bodie Parker each collected two RBI in the game, with Schonebaum and 
Alex Moreno also collecting their first RBI of the season.
Michael Dixon finished the day going 3-for-5, collecting three consecutive hits in the middle innings.
 
"The team approach has been to have quality at bats. Setting ourselves up to be successful in the box by hitting good pitches early in the at bat." said Dixon. "[Our] attitude going into the double header remains the same as always. As a team we want to take care of the first game tomorrow. Take the games one pitch at a time and stay locked in until the final out."
 
Concordia returns to Eagles Field tomorrow, Feb. 5
th, for a doubleheader starting at 1 PM to close the series against Regis.
Click HERE for the 2022 Baseball Schedule