Sacramento, Calif -The Concordia University Irvine Golden Eagles powered through a high-scoring extra-inning battle to defeat the Jessup University Warriors 15-11, and then again 5-1 to close out the series.
CUI 15, JESSUP 11
Jessup jumped out early, scoring four runs across the first two innings, including an inside-the-park home run in the second. The Golden Eagles responded in the third inning when Kaliya Yco drove in a run with a double before Audrey Robles added an RBI groundout to cut the deficit in half.
Concordia's offense erupted in the fourth inning as Morgan Kneubuhler and Kailani Tatro launched back-to-back solo home runs to tie the game. Yco continued her standout performance later in the inning with a two-RBI double, giving the Golden Eagles their first lead at 6-4. Concordia added two more runs in the fifth on aggressive baserunning and a sacrifice fly from Riley Bigley to extend the advantage.
The momentum swung again in the bottom of the fifth when Jessup answered with a six-run inning to reclaim the lead at 10-8. Concordia immediately battled back in the sixth, with Robles delivering an RBI single before Kneubuhler tied the game with a sacrifice fly, forcing a tight late-game battle.
Both teams were held scoreless through the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings, sending the game into extra frames. The Golden Eagles broke through in the tenth inning with a five-run surge. Bigley scored the go-ahead run on a Jessup throwing error before Robles added another RBI single. Kneubuhler delivered the decisive blow with a three-run home run to left-center, sealing Concordia's explosive offensive performance.
Kneubuhler led the Golden Eagles with four hits, two home runs, and five RBIs, while Yco finished 4-for-4 with three runs and three RBIs. Tatro also contributed three hits, and Mya Diaz added two hits and two runs as Concordia totaled 17 hits as a team.
In the circle, Kacie Gossett earned the win with six innings of relief, striking out six and stabilizing the game after the mid-game surge by Jessup.
The Golden Eagles showed resilience throughout the back-and-forth contest, answering every Jessup rally before pulling away in extra innings. Concordia now turns its focus to the final game of the series as the teams prepare for game four.
CUI 5,  JESSUP 1
The Concordia University Irvine Golden Eagles closed out the four-game PacWest series with a strong 5-1 victory over the Jessup University Warriors on Saturday afternoon at Becky Rust Field, securing a 3-1 series win.
Jessup struck first in the opening inning, taking advantage of a wild pitch to move ahead 1-0. The Golden Eagles responded in the second inning when Morgan Kneubuhler tied the game with a solo home run to center field, continuing her dominant offensive weekend.
The game remained tight through the middle innings as both pitching staffs settled in, but Concordia broke through in the sixth inning. Kneubuhler delivered again with her second home run of the game, a two-run shot to give CUI the lead. Kailani Tatro followed with an RBI double later in the inning to extend the advantage to 4-1.
Jessica Im added insurance in the seventh inning with a solo home run to right field, helping the Golden Eagles create separation late.
In the circle, Paetynn Snobar turned in an outstanding complete-game performance, allowing just two hits and one run while striking out six over seven innings. Snobar consistently controlled the strike zone and limited Jessup's offensive opportunities throughout the afternoon.
Kneubuhler led the offense with two home runs and three RBIs, while Im finished with two hits and an RBI. Concordia recorded 10 hits as a team and used timely extra-base hits to secure the win.
With the victory, the Golden Eagles improved to 13-5 overall and 3-1 in PacWest play, finishing the series with momentum after a high-scoring extra-inning win in game three and a strong all-around performance in the finale.
