IRVINE, Calif. - Playing for the first time since moving into the NFCA DII Top 25 national rankings, the Concordia University IrvineĀ
After splitting the two non-conference games, Concordia finishes St. Patrick's Day weekend with a 21-4 overall record (and still 11-1 in PacWest play).
Game 1: Pace 1, No. 25 CUI 0
Kira Morris pitched a solid game in the circle, striking out eight batters in seven innings of work. Morris limited Pace to only one run on eight hits in a fine outing.
Unfortunately for the Golden Eagles, Giselle Garcia was locked in as Pace's starting pitcher. She got into a groove early, moving at a brisk pace and struck out the side in each of the first two innings. Ultimately, Garcia racked up 15 strikeouts and finished with a no-hitter in game one to start off Pace's road trip out west.
Game 2: No. 25 CUI 4, Pace 3
Concordia bounced back in a big way in the rematch.
Kayla Rodgers collected the first hit with a single in the first inning.
Then, senior catcher
Shelby Pfeiler parked a solo homer over the wall in left field to lead off the second.Ā
Rodgers singled again in the third frame to set the table for third baseman
Audrey Robles. The sophomore calmly crushed a two-run homer to put CUI up 3-1 to give her team a boost of confidence.
CUI scrapped together one more insurance run in the bottom of the fourth. That proved to be ultra important, as the Setters clawed back within one in the last inning.Ā
Recently named PacWest Pitcher of the Week Kacie Gossett teamed with starting pitcher
Jayden Nishi to get the required 21 outs. Gossett entered in the fourth and closed out the contest to earn the victory and improve to 3-0 on the season.
On deck for the Golden Eagles is a PacWest doubleheader this coming Wednesday, March 19 against the Vanguard Lions.Ā That twin bill begins at 3 p.m. with the second game to follow.
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