HILO, HAWAI’I – The Concordia University Irvine baseball team split their series against Hawai’i Hilo, ending on a high note with a solid 7-1 victory. This brings their overall record to 24-20 and 22-14 in PacWest play.
Game 1: CUI 5, UHH 6 (10 Innings)
In the first game, CUI fought hard but lost 6-5 in extra innings. Wyatt Madison started strong, pitching 5.2 innings, allowing four runs and striking out four players. Evan Langer followed with solid relief, giving up just one run, while Caden Miller added two innings.
CUI struck first, with Landry Spitler hitting a single in the opening inning. They created chances but couldn’t score initially. After Hawai’i Hilo took a 3-0 lead with a home run in the first, CUI responded quickly. Nolan Caira walked, and David Baruch III brought him home to make it 3-1.
In a key sixth inning, Spitler hit a two-run single, tying the game at 3-3. Even when they fell behind again, CUI didn’t give up. Caira’s base running set up Ian Stewart for an RBI walk, bringing the score to 4-4.
With tense moments, a leadoff walk and a subsequent hit by Baruch III helped tie the game again at 5-5. However, the game ended with a walk-off home run by Hawai’i Hilo.
Game 2: CUI 7, UHH 1
CUI fought back in the second game, showcasing their offensive strength. After a slow start, Dylan Knowles and Nicolas Erickson got hits that led to Jordan Bolden’s two-run double. In the third inning, Isaiah Walz and Cooper Marinelli pushed the score to 4-0.
Erickson continued the momentum, hitting a solo home run in the fourth. Even after Hawai’i Hilo scored, CUI answered back, with RBI contributions from Bolden and a well-timed bunt single by Baruch III, extending their lead to 6-1. The seventh inning saw Walz steal bases and Marinelli drive in another run, wrapping up the game at 7-1.
Michael Panichi had an impressive outing, pitching 6.0 innings, allowing only one run, and striking out five. In relief, Jayden Daya also performed well, finishing with a hitless inning.
CUI will take on Azusa Pacific next on April 17, with senior honors before the games on April 18. For their full schedule, click here.
The Golden Eagles are building momentum as the season progresses, showcasing resilience and talent on the field. As they continue their journey, fans are eager to see how they compete against future opponents.
