Entering Tuesday afternoon's doubleheader vs the California Baptist University Lancers, the Concordia Eagles were just two games back of 1
st place in the PacWest conference race. The Lancers, sporting a 31-8 overall record and 23-5 conference record, were leading the way. Despite the conference standings, CUI ranks ahead of CBU in the West Region rankings, coming in at No. 2, one spot ahead of CBU. After winning of 18 of their previous 19 games, the Eagles had the chance to climb all the way up to a tie for 1
st in the conference race.
GAME ONE: Game one was a battle of two aces.
Callie Nunes, holding a 22-3 record, and Ciara Stapp, coming in at 15-6, took to the mound in the critical game one matchup.
What was expected to be a low scoring affair quickly turned into a route. After Nunes retired the Lancers in order in the top of the 1
st, the Eagle offense went to work.
Ryann Ferguson led off the inning with an infield single and
Brooke Jackson followed up with a walk.
Amy Eilefson then scorched a single to left field to load the bases. With the bags full,
Amanda Gjertsen collected another hit, bringing home Ferguson from third. Jackson advanced home as well after the left fielder misplayed the ball.
The Eagles continued to benefit from aggressive base running and Lancer defense throughout the game. Just one batter later, Eilefson came around on a throwing error to bring the score to 3-0. Three batters later, the Eagles scored another unearned run, with Gjersen scoring on a third error of the inning for CBU.
The early 5-0 lead was more than enough for Nunes. After retiring the first nine hitters, she gave up a leadoff walk in the 4
th inning, but easily got out of it, striking out two of the next three hitters.
In the bottom of the 4
th, the Eagles extended their lead. After a one out walk by
McKinsey Thorpe,
Sarah Kretschmar reached on a fourth CBU error. With two outs in the inning, Jackson brought in both runners on a line drive single to center.
Over the final two innings, Nunes gave up two hits, but left both runners stranded. Despite the Lancers coming into the game with a strong offense, including Hannah Thieroff, who came into the game with a .473 batting average and 16 home runs, Nunes once again proved why she is one of the best pitchers in America, throwing her 15
th shutout of the year.
Eagle Eye: Nunes pitched seven innings, giving up just two hits, one walk and striking out 13. Gjertsen finished two-for-three with a run scored and an RBI.
GAME TWO: While the first game was a comfortable win for the Eagles, game two was a nail biter.
In the 2
nd inning, with the score still tied at zero, the Eagles got the big hit that ultimately pushed them over CBU. With two outs,
Mackenzie Graham launched a high fly ball to left field. The CBU left fielder tracked the ball, but when it came down, it was over the fence for a huge two run shot.
Over the course of the rest of the game, the Lancers continually got runners on base, but
Grayson Harvey locked in and sent them back to the dugout still trailing. Over the first six innings, the Lancers recorded five hits, drew two walks and reached on one error by the Eagles. Regardless, they couldn't break through and cross the plate.
Leading 2-0 heading into the 7
th inning, Nunes entered out of the bullpen. After striking out the first two hitters, CBU brought the tying run to the plate after reaching on an infield single. They did no more, however. The final out was recorded on a fly out to right field and the Eagles completed another sweep.
With the win, CUI's winning streak has reached 10 games and they moved into a tie for 1
st place in the PacWest standings. Though they remain tied with CBU for 1
st place, they hold a one game advantage in the loss column.
Eagle Eye: Harvey pitched six innings, giving up no runs and earning the win. Gjertsen finished two-for-three at the plate. Graham finished one-for-three with two RBI's and a run scored.
What's Next: The Eagles return home on Friday, taking on Dominican University of California. Game one begins at 2 p.m.
