When the Concordia softball team last played at home on Eagles Field, they were in the midst of a considerable winning streak. After beating Biola University on February 22, the Eagles were winners in nine consecutive games. Since hitting the road for six consecutive games, the Eagles have continued to shine. Despite dealing with a hectic travel schedule, including rainouts, postponements, and cancellations, the Eagles kept winning. After winning six more, their winning streak reached 15, and the Eagles continued to climb in the rankings. On Wednesday, they were named the No. 1 team in the nation. It is the first time any Concordia team has reached the top spot in the rankings since moving to Division II.
On Thursday afternoon, the Eagles finally returned home, taking on the Hawaii Pacific Sharks in a doubleheader. The Sharks, entering the game at 18-14, boast a deep and productive offensive lineup. Seven hitters are batting over .300 for the season and the team has stolen 49 bags already.
Game One: While the Sharks have a strong lineup, the Eagles have
Callie Nunes. On Thursday, she was on top of her game. Nunes retired the first nine Sharks hitters, striking out five.
Nunes was given a lead early and never looked back. In the bottom of the first inning, the Eagles plated two. After
Amanda Gjertsen walked with one out,
Sydney Sprinkle singled up the middle, and after both runners moved up on a wild pitch, Gjertsen was brought home on an infield hit by
Sydni Dix. Sprinkle later scored on a wild pitch and the Eagles took a 2-0 lead.
Though the Sharks were able to get one back in the fourth on a triple and a sac fly, the Eagles offense exploded in the bottom half of the inning to break the game wide open. CUI struck for five runs on five hits, using aggressive base running to build a cushion and then capitalizing with a big blast by Sprinkle. With two outs in the inning and
Megan Massa on second, Sprinkle launched a home run over the left center field wall. The home run is the third of the season for Sprinkle and put the Eagles up 7-1. Nunes continued her gem by shutting out the Sharks over the final two innings and the Eagles extended their winning streak to 16.
Eagle Eye: Nunes threw another complete game, going the full seven innings, and giving up just one run on one hit. She struck out 11 and didn't walk any batters. Sprinkle finished two-for-four with two runs and two RBI's. Dix and
Michelle Lieng each finished two-for-three at the plate.
Game Two: In game two, the Eagles turned to their freshman pitcher,
Erika Morris, to make her first career start. Over the first five innings, Morris pitched well, and the defense behind her was stellar.
In the first inning, Morris worked out of a jam. With two on and two out, Mary Dungey hit a low, sinking liner to center field.
Lauren Lopez charged, made a diving catch, and kept the Sharks off the board.
In the third inning, the same scenario was repeated, but this time it was
Megan Massa in right field that made the big play. With two on and two out, she made a sliding catch to keep Morris' shutout alive. One inning later, Massa made another terrific play in the outfield.
While Morris was able to work out of jams and the Eagles' defense was able to keep the Sharks off the board, the Eagles' offense struggled for the entirety of game two. Emilee Leonard was in the circle for the Sharks and she was terrific. Through five innings, the Sharks led 1-0, with their only run coming in the third inning when Cieana Curran stole home.
In the sixth inning, Morris got in trouble, and though Nunes was brought in out of the bullpen with the bases loaded, the Eagles weren't able to get out of the jam. Two Sharks came home and the Eagles trailed 3-0 midway through the sixth.
In the bottom of the sixth,
Mackenzie Graham lifted a pitch and drove it over the left center field wall for the lone run of the game for the Eagles. HPU added an insurance run in the top of the seventh, and though two Eagles reached in the bottom of the seventh, it wasn't enough and the Eagles fell, 4-1. It was CUI's first loss in six weeks and snapped their 16 game winning streak.
Eagle Eye: Sprinkle finished two-for-four at the plate. Graham finished two-for-three with a run and an RBI.
What's Next: The Eagles continue their four game series against HPU tomorrow with a doubleheader at Eagles Field. Game one begins at 2 PM.
For the full schedule, click
here
