IRVINE, Calif. – The Golden Eagles finished their series in a split against No. 4 Northwest Nazarene Saturday in comeback fashion. CUI was down 0-6 in the first game and had a late surge to boost a 7-6 win before dropping the second by a close 2-4.
CUI 7, NNU 6
Evan Langer worked 4.2 innings allowing seven hits and six runs while walking two and striking out three. Freshman
Caden Miller made his debut with impressive fashion giving up just one hit and did not issue a walk. Miller tossed 4.1 scoreless innings while striking out three batters.
The Nighthawks struck in the first three innings taking an early 4-0 lead. A couple doubles in the fifth extended their lead to be up by six.
The Green and Gold answered in the bottom of the fifth with a big swing from
Dylan Knowles who launched a three-run home run to center field scoring
Wyatt Madison and
Nolan Caira to cut the deficit in half. Later in the inning
Jordan Bolden hit an RBI single bringing home
Cole Quillin pulling CUI within two at 6–4.
The Eagles kept chipping away in the sixth with
Isaiah Walz and
Landry Spitler hitting singles. Madison lifted a sacrifice fly to left field allowing Walz to score and make it a one run game. In the bottom of the seventh Walz delivered a clutch two run double to right field scoring
Anthony Pacino and Makamae Du who both walked and took the lead 7-6.
CUI 2, NNU 4
After the Nighthawks built a three run lead in the opening inning CUI broke through in the fourth when Bolden lined an RBI single to left field putting the Golden Eagles on the board. CUI continued to pressure on the Nighthawks defense and cut further into the lead in the sixth.
Nolan Caira lifted a sacrifice fly to center field allowing
Mason Overacker to score and make it a two-run game. NNU was able to close out the game with a quick outing in the seventh.
Eight Green and Gold batters brought something to the plate with at least one hit while only going through two pitchers.
Wyatt Madison made his first appearance on the mound since 2024 to start the second game. Madison worked five innings allowing four runs on eight hits while striking out two.
Josh Pugh was sharp in relief for CUI as he had two scoreless innings giving up just two hits while striking out three. He faced eight batters and needed only 26 pitches.
The Golden Eagles will play another non-conference series against Cal State Dominguez Hills starting Thursday and Friday on the road with a 1 p.m. slated start time. They will finish the series at the Golden Eagles Field with a double header Saturday starting at 1 p.m.
To see the full CUI baseball schedule click
HERE.
