COSTA MESA, Calif. – The CUI baseball team traveled down to the road to complete the series against Vanguard on Saturday. The Golden Eagles clinched the series victory after a 2–1 win in the opener before dropping in a tight 6–4 decision in the second game.
 
Game 1: CUI 2, VU 1
 
The Golden Eagles set the tone early despite a quiet first inning offensively as the pitching staff immediately took control. PacWest Pitcher of the Week Wyatt Madison delivered a strong outing working six innings while allowing just one run on five hits while striking out seven.
 
CUI broke through in the third inning when Landry Spitler singled to spark the offense. After advancing into scoring position Madison knocked a clutch RBI single giving CUI a 1–0 lead.
 
Vanguard answered in the bottom half with a run but the Green and Gold responded right away in the fourth. Makamae Du Pont reached base to ignite another opportunity and Concordia capitalized on defensive pressure to bring in the go-ahead run. Nolan Caira reached on a fielder's bringing Du Pont to home plate pushing the lead 2–1.
 
From there the Golden Eagles pitching and defense took over. Madison finished his outing strong before handing the ball to the bullpen. Nathan Hunter provided a steady bridge in the seventh inning while Michael Panichi closed the door over the final 2.1 innings to earn his first save of the season. Panichi allowed just one hit and struck out two sealing the win with a composed finish.
 
Game 2: CUI 4, VU 6
 
On the mound freshman Jayden Daya earned the start going 1.1 innings and allowed two runs on two hits while issuing no walks and striking out one. Evan Langer came in from the bullpen and threw 4.2 innings giving up four hits and four runs.
 
CUI offense was paced by Dylan Knowles who delivered one of the team's strongest individual performances at the plate finishing 3-for-4 with a team-high of two runs.
 
The Golden Eagles struck first in the second inning by applying steady pressure on the bases. After Du Pont and Knowles put themselves in scoring position Ian Stewart reached on an error that allowed both runners to come home giving CUI an early 2–0 advantage.
 
Vanguard responded in the bottom half of the inning tying the game but the Golden Eagles answered right back in the third. Madison crossed the plate after another defensive miscue from the Lions extended the inning and the Green and Gold regained the lead at 3–2.
 
Even as Vanguard delivered a two-run home run later in the third to swing momentum CUI remained composed and continued generating offense. The Golden Eagles tied the game again in the fifth inning when Caira drew a bases-loaded walk bringing home Knowles and evening the score at 4–4.
 
Vanguard pushed ahead again later in the inning and added a solo home run in the sixth to take and hold the lead until the end of the game.
 

The Golden Eagles will start a four game series against Point Loma on the road starting Friday Mar. 27 with 12 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. start times. They will finish the series back on their home turf at the Golden Eagles Field Saturday Mar. 28 at 1 p.m and 4:30 p.m.

 
To see the full CUI baseball schedule click HERE.