After splitting their first two games of the Desert Stinger Tournament on Friday, the Eagles were set to take on two more opponents on Saturday, including No. 7 Chico State.  The two games were rained out, however.  Instead, the Eagles had to wait.  On Sunday, they resumed play in Las Vegas, taking on the Western Washington University Vikings before heading back home.

The Vikings, like the Eagles, split their first two games on Friday.  WWU beat Cal State Dominguez Hills 8-0 in their opener, but fell to Chico State 12-2 in their second game of the day. 

With Callie Nunes on the mound, in search of her first win of the season, the Concordia star pitcher dealt with the same problems early that she did two days earlier.  After retiring the first two batters of the game, she walked four consecutive hitters.  At the end of the first, WWU led 1-0.

In the bottom of the second inning, the Eagles responded in a big way.  Erika Morris led off the inning with the first home run of her career to tie the game.  Later in the inning, Sarah Kretschmar singled to drive in the second run of the game for the Eagles.  The Eagles then scored two unearned runs to take a 4-1 lead.

While Nunes was able to settle down as the game went on, the Eagles' offense continued to produce.  In the third inning, Sydni Dix scored for the Eagles on a squeeze play, with Mackenzie Graham laying down the bunt, and the Eagles added another in the inning to take a 6-1 lead.

In the fourth inning, Amanda Gjertsen doubled to the left center gap, scoring two, putting the Eagles up 8-1.

"We had a great weekend on offense all together," said head coach Crystal Rosenthal.  "Today, we put big hits together and executed our game plan."

Though the Vikings were able to score two unearned runs in the fifth inning, it wasn't enough, as the Eagles came right back in the bottom of the fifth to finish the game.  After scoring one run, Michelle Lieng doubled down the left field line, bringing home Heather Nonora and McKinsey Thorpe and giving the Eagles their second win of the season. 

The Eagles beat the Vikings 11-3 via run rule in five innings.  Nunes collected the win for the Eagles, pitching her second consecutive complete game to begin the season.

"Callie was good, and it's nice for her to get her first win of the year," said coach Rosenthal.

Eagle Eye: McKinsey Thorpe finished two-for-two at the plate with one run scored.  Michelle Lieng and Amanda Gjertsen each finished with two RBI's.  Nunes pitched five innings, giving up just three hits and one earned run.

What's Next: The Eagles return home to take on Concordia University (Oregon) at Eagles Field on February 16.  First pitch is at 12:00 PM.

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