IRVINE, Calif. - As day two commenced in the Golden Eagles versus Sunbirds series, CUI sought to take one game at a time, with a couple of ace pitchers to help them out.
In game one of the back-to-back, CUI had an All-American pitcher starting on the mound, #22
Jake Covey, against the Sunbirds. Heading into the game, Covey posted a 5-2 record with a 3.76 ERA.
As for the Sunbirds, the CUI bats were silent, and FPU took advantage of that fact. The Sunbirds struck first in the top of the third inning, scoring two runs and taking a 2-0 lead heading into the fourth inning. After scoring first, the Sunbirds never looked back.
The only Golden Eagle to score was #12
Tank Espalin, who hit an absolute tank shot over the right fielder's head. The final score of the game ended with FPU defeating CUI 6-1.
Coming into game two, the Golden Eagles had another All-American pitcher on the mound,
Matthew Kaiser. Kaiser's season stats prior to the game were 4-1, boasting a 3.34 ERA, just coming off being nationally recognized for his past outings.
Trying to keep their bats hot, the Sunbirds picked up right where they left off in the last game, drawing first blood on the offensive side of the ball, making it 2-0 after the top of the first. Kaiser, feeling a bit out of rhythm, allowed one more run in the third, making it a 3-0 game, with this second game feeling a lot like the first.
However, some crucial players made great plays to help CUI make a comeback. These players included veterans like
Vito Fowler and
Haku Dudoit, who called multiple defensive timeouts to help regain Kaiser's composure, allowing him to dominate the rest of the game and not allow any more runs after the third inning.
Vito Fowler also made veteran plays at the plate, scoring two Golden Eagle runs off a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the second and a sacrifice bunt in the bottom of the fourth to keep chipping away at the Sunbirds' lead
The play of the year—potentially—came in the top of the sixth inning when the Golden Eagles turned a triple play: a force-out at third, a quick throw to second base, and an even quicker throw to first! This was CUI's first triple play in the NCAA DII era, and it was electrifying to watch.
After gaining all the momentum, CUI finished the game with their bats. #39
Landry Spitler was the Golden Eagle who gave CUI their first lead of the day, making it 5-3. The game ended with a final score of 6-3 after
Makamae Du Pont hit a sacrifice fly to score one more insurance run.
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