Irvine, Calif - The CUI softball team opened its Friday doubleheader with a strong pitching performance and timely offense, defeating Hawai'i Pacific 2–0 and then again 12-2 for game 2.

CUI 2, HPU 0 

Both teams were held scoreless through the first three innings as Gossett and HPU starter Lily Pardini matched each other in the circle. Concordia broke through in the bottom of the fourth inning when Riley Bigley reached on an error by the shortstop, allowing Kaitlin Murphy to score and give the Golden Eagles a 1–0 lead.

CUI added an important insurance run in the sixth inning. Morgan Kneubuhler started the rally and came around to score when Caitlynn Campbell delivered a double to left field, extending the Concordia advantage to 2–0.

Gossett handled the rest from there, delivering one of her stronger outings of the season. The right-hander tossed all seven innings, allowing six hits while striking out five and walking just one. Despite several baserunners, Gossett consistently worked out of trouble and kept Hawai'i Pacific off the scoreboard.

Campbell led the Golden Eagles offensively with two hits, including the RBI double that provided the final margin. Kneubuhler also recorded a hit and scored a run, while Kaliya Yco and Alyssa Struthers added base hits to round out Concordia's five-hit performance.

CUI 12, HPU 2

Concordia carried that momentum into game two with an explosive offensive showing, defeating Hawai'i Pacific 12–2 in a five-inning run-rule victory.

The Golden Eagles wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, erupting for six runs in the bottom of the first inning. Morgan Kneubuhler opened the scoring with an RBI single before Veronica Moore added another run with a single to center. Moments later, Maddie JeanBlanc delivered the biggest swing of the inning, launching a grand slam to left field to give CUI an early 6–0 advantage.

Hawai'i Pacific answered with two runs in the second inning, but Concordia quickly responded. Kneubuhler continued her strong day at the plate with a two-run home run to left-center in the bottom of the second inning, pushing the Golden Eagles' lead to 8–2.

CUI continued to add on in the fourth inning with another four-run rally. Audrey Robles drove in two runs with a single to center field before Noelani Ching followed with an RBI double to right-center. Serena Velez capped the inning with an RBI single to extend the lead to 12–2.

In the circle, Kira Morris earned the win after pitching four innings, allowing just two hits and one earned run while striking out two. Paetynn Snobar closed the game with a scoreless fifth inning to secure the run-rule victory.

The Golden Eagles totaled 11 hits in the contest, led by Kneubuhler and JeanBlanc, who each recorded two hits. Kneubuhler drove in three runs and scored twice, while JeanBlanc finished with four RBIs. Robles added two hits and two RBIs, while Jessica Im also recorded two hits and scored twice.

With the sweep, Concordia improved to 24–10 on the season as the Golden Eagles continued their strong play at home.

NEXT UP:

The Golden Eagles will complete the series against Hawai'i Pacific tomorrow, March 14th, first pitch scheduled for 12:00 PM with game 2 to follow directly after 

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