Irvine, Calif. - The Concordia Irvine softball team battled Biola in a competitive PacWest doubleheader Saturday afternoon at Golden Eagles Field, splitting the two games in front of the home crowd. The Golden Eagles secured a 4–2 victory in the opening matchup behind timely hitting and a strong performance in the circle, before dropping a tightly contested extra-inning battle 3–2 in game two.
CUI 4, BU 3
CUI improved to 22–9 on the season behind timely hitting and a solid outing in the circle from Jayden Nishi, who earned her eighth win of the year. The Golden Eagles capitalized on key opportunities early and held off a late push from Biola to secure the win.
Biola struck first in the top of the third inning when Kendall Nakano launched a solo home run to give the Eagles a 1–0 lead. Concordia quickly responded in the bottom half of the inning with a big swing of its own. After reaching base and taking advantage of a Biola error, Audrey Robles delivered a three-run home run to left field, bringing home Jessica Im and Crystal Alatorre to give CUI a 3–1 advantage.
The Golden Eagles added an insurance run in the fourth inning when Jessica Im lifted a sacrifice fly to center field that scored Caitlynn Campbell, extending the Concordia lead to 4–1.
Nishi settled in after the early home run, working through six innings while allowing two runs on eight hits. The left-hander relied on strong defensive support and kept Biola from putting together a big inning despite multiple baserunners.
Biola threatened again in the sixth inning when Ariana Banos singled to center field to drive in a run and cut the deficit to 4–2. However, the Golden Eagles limited the damage and maintained the lead heading into the final frame.
Kira Morris came on in the seventh inning and shut the door for Concordia, earning her first save of the season. Morris allowed just one baserunner and struck out one to secure the victory.
At the plate, Morgan Kneubuhler led the Golden Eagles with two hits, while Robles provided the biggest offensive moment with her three-run homer. Crystal Alatorre and Jessica Im each added a hit and a run scored as Concordia made the most of its five-hit performance.
CUI 2, BU 3
Concordia carried that momentum into game two of the doubleheader, battling with Biola in a tightly contested extra-inning matchup before falling just short in a 3–2 decision.
The Golden Eagles kept the Eagles off the scoreboard through the first five innings behind a strong outing from Kacie Gossett in the circle. Gossett worked efficiently throughout the game, scattering five hits across eight innings while striking out four.
Biola broke through in the sixth inning with a two-run home run, but Concordia responded with resilience in the bottom of the seventh. With two outs, Caitlynn Campbell delivered a clutch single to right-center field that brought home Kaliya Yco and Jessica Im, tying the game at 2–2 and sending the contest into extra innings.
The Eagles managed to push across the go-ahead run in the eighth inning, but the Golden Eagles continued to battle until the final out. Concordia finished with nine hits in the game and consistently pressured the Biola defense throughout the afternoon.
Campbell led the Golden Eagles offensively in game two with two hits and two RBIs, while Yco and Veronica Moore each collected two hits as well.
With the split, Concordia moved to 22–10 overall after a competitive doubleheader at Golden Eagles Field, highlighted by a strong opening-game victory and another hard-fought performance in the second matchup.
