IRVINE, Calif. – Hawai'i Pacific University saw Concordia Irvine win both games of Saturday afternoon's doubleheader in the Eagles last at-bat as CUI won 3-2 and 4-3 in PacWest Conference play at Eagles Field.
 
The Sharks (13-16, 7-11) tied game one in the top of the ninth and held a one-run lead in game two in the sixth before the Eagles (15-10-1, 9-3) came up with runs to take the lead in their last opportunity at the plate.
 
HPU was led once again by senior D.J. Stephens of Nanakuli, Hawai'i/Saint Louis who went 2-for-6 on the day with a run scored. In the second game, redshirt sophomore Nicholas Jio of San Diego/Scripps Ranch went 2-for-4 in the second game with a double, an RBI and a run scored.
 
The Sharks game one starter, sophomore Mac Leisher of Honolulu/Saint Louis, pitched well for the five innings in the pitchers duel, allowing one unearned run on one hit with two walks and three strikeouts. Sophomore reliever Giancarlo Cortez of San Diego/St. Augustine (3-2) got the loss, allowing two runs on five hits with two walks and four strikeouts.
 
The Eagles broke the scoreless tie in the fifth as Nathan Benefito doubled to break up Leisher's no-hit bid, and scored on a sacrifice fly. CUI made it 2-0 in the eighth on an RBI bunt single.
 
But the Sharks rallied in the ninth, with two singles setting up a two RBI single by sophomore Cole Kashimoto of Kaneohe, Hawai'i/Saint Louis to tie the game at 2-2.
 
In the bottom of the ninth, the Eagles got a leadoff single, a sac and an RBI double to take the win.
 
CUI reliever Colton Bulger (1-0) got the win getting an out on the only batter he faced. Starter Evan Larsen threw eight shutout innings allowing three hits with two walks and three strikeouts, but did not get a decision. Noah McBride blew a save opportunity allowing two runs on three hits with a strikeout in two-thirds of an inning.
 
The Sharks took the early lead in the seven-inning series nightcap as Jio singled on the game's second pitch and scored on an RBI single from senior Braxton Wehrle of Las Vegas, Nev./Bishop Gorman for the 1-0 lead.
 
The Eagles countered with two runs in the third on three hits with two of them RBI singles.
 
HPU scored in the fourth and fifth to regain the lead as freshman Mackenzee Higuchi of Aiea, Hawai'i/Mid-Pacific Institute hit an RBI single to tie the game and Jio rapped an RBI double for the lead.
 
The Sharks carried that 3-2 lead into the bottom of the sixth, when a leadoff double down the line set up a pair of RBI singles to grab the 4-3 lead.
 
In the seventh, the Sharks got a baserunner after a single from senior Diego Harris of Los Angeles, Calif./Crespi, but couldn't bring him home.
 
Sophomore starter Makana Quia of Waipahu, Hawai'i/Waipahu went 2.2 innings for HPU allowing two runs on four hits. Sophomore reliever Eddie Lee of Honolulu/Kalani allowed a run on two hits with a walk and a strikeout in 2.1 innings. Freshman Izaiah Ayala of Diamond Bar, Calif./Bishop Amat (0-2) took the loss, allowing a run on three hits in a third of an inning. Stephens finished up the contest on the mound with two outs in the two batters faced.
 
Reliever McBride (3-0) got the game two win for CUI, getting one out in the sixth inning, in relief of starter Matthew DesMarets who allowed three runs on eight hits with two strikeouts in 5.2 innings. Bulger got his first save in throwing the seventh innings, allowing the one hit with a strikeout.
 
The Sharks close their eight-game southern California trip and return to Honolulu for their last home series when they host Academy of Art on Wednesday and Thursday, March 30-31. First pitch for both doubleheaders is set for 2 p.m. at Hans L'Orange Park.