When the Eagles took on the Dixie State Trailblazers on Saturday, it was about more than just a normal weekend series.  The two teams are in a tight race in the Pacwest Conference and their two star pitchers are at or near the top of every statistical category in division II softball.  Entering play on Saturday, the Eagles held a one game advantage over the Trailblazers in the Pacwest conference, just two games behind California Baptist in the loss column for the top spot. 

GAME ONE:  Game one pit star freshman pitcher Callie Nunes of CUI vs. star freshman pitcher Cambrie Hazel of Dixie State.  Entering the game, Nunes led the country in both ERA and strikeouts.  Hazel ranked 16^th in ERA, 3^rd amongst all freshman pitchers in the country.  Nunes also entered the game sporting a brilliant 21-3 record.  Hazel was just behind her with a 16-2 record.  Runs figured to be hard to come by but after yesterday's late offensive outburst for the Eagles against Azusa Pacific, they had no plans of slowing down.

Nunes set the tone early for the Eagles, striking out the side in the top of the 1^st inning.  The offense then did their part in the bottom half.  With one out, Brooke Jackson drew a walk.  With two outs, Amanda Gjertsen reached on an infield single.  Finally, Kailey Palazzolo brought them both home on a double to left.

Two runs is all Nunes needed to win another game.  She gave up just one run on a solo home run in the top of the 3^rd.  The Eagles were not content with just bringing home two runs, however.  They wanted more and they got it.

In the bottom of the 3^rd inning, the Eagles broke the game wide open.  Jackson singled, Amy Eilefson singled, Gjertsen laid down a bunt on a squeeze play that worked to perfection, scoring Jackson.  With the score now 3-1, Palazzolo smashed a three run home run over the left field wall to put the Eagles up 6-1.

With the game now firmly in control, the Eagles could have just cruised to a win but they still weren't done yet.  In the 6^th inning, they brought in three more runs on hits by Sarah Kretschmar, Ryann Ferguson and Eilefson.  The final score was 9-1 Eagles, one of their best performances of the season.

Eagle Eye: Eilefson finished two-for-four at the plate with three RBI's.  Palazzolo went two-for-three with five RBI's.  Nunes pitched another complete game, giving up just one run on three hits while striking out nine.

GAME TWO: Though game two didn't have quite the fireworks of game one, the end result was  just as sweet for the Eagles. 

Grayson Harvey was on the mound for the Eagles in the afternoon and she continued her solid play.  Over five innings, she gave up just two runs and left with the lead.

In the bottom of the 2^nd inning, McKinsey Thorpe's two out single to left field plated Michelle Lieng to give the Eagles the first run of the game. 

In the 3^rd inning, the Trailblazers came right back, scoring one run on two hits.  The lead was short lived, however.  In the bottom half of the inning, Eilefson continued her big day, knocking in both Kretschmar and Ferguson to give the Eagles a 3-1 lead. 

In the 4^th inning, they extended the lead once again.  With one out and an 0-1 count, Mackenzie Graham homered to left field, extending the lead to three runs. 

Though Dixie State was able to score one run in the 5^th, it wasn't enough.  Nunes came in out of the bullpen for the Eagles to collect the final five outs and earn her 7^th save of the year, the most in a single season in school history.  The two losses for DSU was the first time they have lost consecutive games this season.

Eagle Eye: Eilefson finished two-for-three with two RBI's. Graham finished two-for-three with an RBI and a run.  Harvey collected the win and Nunes earned the save.

What's Next: The Eagles are back home again on Tuesday for a doubleheader against Cal Baptist.  Game one begins at 2 PM.