ATHERTON, Calif. – The CUI baseball team are closing out their trip up north against Menlo in a four series match-up over a span of two days. The Golden Eagles had an impressive 22 hits and 20 runs to start the series against the Oaks.
 
Game 1: CUI 16, Menlo 10
 
The Golden Eagles struck quickly in the opening frame to start the series. Makamae Du Pont ripped a double down the left field line to plate the game's first run and moments later Nicolas Erickson delivered a two run single pushing CUI ahead 3–0 before Menlo could settle in.
 
While Menlo answered with two runs of its own in the first CUI's offense never looked rattled. Dylan Knowles extended the lead in the third with a solo home run down the right field line.
 
The Oaks clawed back eventually tying the game 4–4 in the fourth inning. Even after CUI regained a 7–4 edge in the eighth behind a clutch RBI single from Nolan Caira and a two run blast by Ian Stewart Menlo capitalized on opportunities to knot the score again at 7–7.
 
In the top of the ninth CUI delivered one of its most explosive innings scoring nine runs. Cole Quillin jump started the rally with a two run double. Caira followed with another two run double down the line. Sawyer Voortman and Isaiah Walz added RBI singles and Wyatt Madison capped a five-run stretch with a two RBI knock to right. Knowles added a sacrifice fly for good measure.
 
The Golden Eagles pitching staff pieced together a gritty effort on the mound highlighted by a composed finish from Riley Ricken who earned his first win of the season with two innings of work. Michael Panichi set the tone early who battled through 4.0 innings and allowed three runs and struck out three. Nathan Hunter provided a strong bridge out of the bullpen who struck out four across 3.0 innings and limited damage to two runs while keeping Menlo off balance.
 

Game 2: CUI 4, Menlo 10
 
Knowles delivered a sharp RBI single to right field bringing home Madison and giving CUI an early 1–0 lead. After Menlo put together a big third inning the Green and Gold responded in the fourth with one of the game's biggest swings. Knowles continued his standout performance by launching a two run home run once again scoring Madison and trimming the deficit to just one run at 4–3.
 
While the Oaks added runs in the middle innings the Golden Eagles kept battling. The Eagles continued to apply pressure and put together competitive at-bats throughout the lineup. In the seventh inning they manufactured another run when Quillin came in to pinch hit and lifted a sacrifice fly which brought Caira to cross the plate and cap the scoring at 10–4.
 
Dominic Nunes started on the bump for CUI and pitched 3.1 innings while striking out one. Luka Brancato and Jayden Daya provided solid relief having a combined 2.0 scoreless innings and three strikeouts. Troy May came in as reliever for the second time of the day and went 0.2 innings.
 

The Golden Eagles will conclude the series against Menlo Saturday Feb. 28 with another 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. slated times.

 
To see the full CUI baseball schedule click HERE.