Irvine, Calif - Under sunny skies and 85-degree weather, the Concordia University Irvine Golden Eagles returned to their home field for their home opener following a successful showing at the CUI Kickoff Classic. As has become tradition whenever CUI and NNU meet, the doubleheader delivered competitive, hard-fought games from start to finish. The two programs traded momentum throughout the day, ultimately splitting the doubleheader and setting the tone for the remainder of the season, as CUI and NNU usually meet at some point in post season.
GAME 1- CUI 6, NNU 5
The Golden Eagles pulled out a hard-fought 6–5 victory over the Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks in Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader, using timely power, opportunistic offense, and late-game composure to secure the win.
CUI struck first in the bottom of the opening inning when junior transfer Veronica Moore launched a solo home run to give the Golden Eagles an early 1–0 lead. Northwest Nazarene answered in the second with a solo homer of its own, but Concordia quickly responded as Morgan Kneubuhler went deep in the bottom half of the inning to reclaim the advantage at 2–1.
After the Nighthawks evened the score again in the fourth inning, the Golden Eagles delivered the game's decisive stretch in the bottom of the frame. Following a double from Mya Diaz and defensive miscues by NNU, CUI capitalized. Jessica Im reached on an error to bring home the go-ahead run before Moore crushed her second home run of the game, a two-run shot that pushed Concordia in front 5–2.
Northwest Nazarene refused to go away, scoring two unearned runs in the fifth and adding another in the seventh to cut the deficit to one. However, Concordia answered again in the bottom of the sixth when junior Audrey Robles singled up the middle to drive in an insurance run, giving the Golden Eagles a crucial 6–4 cushion.
In the top of the seventh, NNU brought the tying run to the plate after scoring once, but Concordia's defense held firm to close out the one-run victory.
Moore powered the Golden Eagles' offense with two home runs and three RBIs, while Kneubuhler also homered and reached base multiple times. With the 6–5 win, the Golden Eagles claimed Game 1 of the doubleheader and set the tone for the remainder of the day against the Nighthawks.
GAME 2- CUI 6, NNU 9
CUI wrapped up their doubleheader with Northwest Nazarene in a competitive Game 2, falling 9–6 after a late surge by the Nighthawks on Wednesday night.
The Golden Eagles got off to a strong start, manufacturing a run in the bottom of the first inning as Jessica Im crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly from Robles to give the Golden Eagles an early 1–0 lead. Concordia added another run in the second, with Noelani Ching delivering an RBI single to extend the advantage to 2–0.
Northwest Nazarene responded with a four-run third inning to take the lead, but the Golden Eagles stayed within striking distance and continued to apply pressure defensively, limiting further damage over the next two frames. Concordia's pitching and defense settled in during the middle innings, keeping the game close heading into the fifth.
The turning point for CUI came in the bottom of the fifth, when the Golden Eagles erupted for four runs. After Jessica Im scored on a wild pitch to cut the deficit, A. Robles delivered the biggest swing of the game, launching a three-run home run to right center to put Concordia back in front, 6–4.
Robles finished Game 2 with a home run and three RBIs, Despite the setback, Concordia showed resilience throughout the contest and closed the day with a split of the doubleheader, taking positives into their next competition.
NEXT UP:
The Golden Eagles are heading to Lake Elsinore Friday February 6th-Sunday February 10th to compete in the D2 West Coast Challenge, playing five games in a span of three days.
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