SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Sophomore Wyatt Madison went yard for the first time this season and the Golden Eagles scored a combined total of nine runs in their first two games against one of the top-ranked teams in all of NCAA DII.

Unfortunately, the Westmont Warriors were also up for the challenge and CUI dropped the series opener 10-6 to the Warriors before a tight contest in the rematch on Friday.

Game 1: No. 4 Westmont 10, CUI 6

Niko Santamaria helped plate the first run of the day with a sacrifice fly in the third that scored Nicolas Erickson. But the Concordia lead was short-lived as Westmont put up a crooked number in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings. 

Cameron Slessor provided a pair of singles and collected 3 RBI to help the offense get going against the Warriors. Anthony Pacino also had a triple and reached base twice.

Landry Spitler went 3-for-5 at the plate and added a RBI single in the ninth. CUI trailed 10-2 entering the last inning but put up a 4-spot with a late rally to close out the scoring. Both teams finished with nine hits apiece but Westmont hung on for the win.

Game 2: No. 4 Westmont 4, CUI 3

Wyatt Madison drilled his first home run of the season with a three-run blast in the fifth inning. That one swing gave the Golden Eagles a 3-2 lead.

Evan Langer pitched a great game and took the lead into the seventh and final frame. CUI was one out away from splitting on the first day, but those pesky Warriors found a way to rally late. Shane Hofstadler entered as a replacement and smacked the game-tying solo homer on a 2-1 count with two outs in the seventh. Moments later, Daniel Patterson supplied the walk-off RBI single to center field to give Westmont the 4-3 win.

Both teams only managed six hits each in the second game of the day

The two squads will face off again on Saturday at the same times. The next nine inning affair is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. with the seven-inning contest to follow shortly afterwards.

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