IRVINE, Calif. – The No. 7 Concordia University Irvine Eagles took two games from visiting Chaminade on Friday behind a couple of strong pitching performances.  The CUI offense also received a boost from its two catchers who each smashed a home run to help the cause.  The Green and Gold improved to 21-3 overall and 10-2 in the PacWest Conference, while the SIlverswords dropped to 10-17 and 7-13 in league play.

Game 1

The Eagles opened the day with a 9-1 victory over the SIlverswords in six innings. Callie Nunes tied a career-high with 14 strikeouts and Mackenzie Graham cracked a single and a three-run homer to lead the Eagles.

Nunes looked unhittable at times and only allowed two singles the whole afternoon.  She did walk eight batters but was able to pitch her way out of multiple jams.

"Overall I thought my movement and velocity were both pretty good," said Nunes. "We were pretty happy with the overall performance, and I have to work on the control aspects for sure."

"Callie had some of her best stuff of the year at times today so I was encouraged by that and glad she battled through the game," said CUI head coach Crystal Rosenthal.

The 14 K's for Nunes were a season-high and matched her previous career total which she set as a freshman last spring in a win over Metro State-Denver. The CUI softball school record for most strikeouts in a game is 17 and held by former CUI pitchers Katie Cotta and Natalie Brown.

Graham was locked in at the plate from the start.  She collected the first base hit of the game in her initial at-bat in the second inning.  Her three-run shot over the left field wall in the fourth inning gave the Eagles a 3-1 lead.

"Graham's home run was huge as it set the tone for our offense and gave our pitcher a bit of room to breathe," added Rosenthal.

CUI sealed the victory in the bottom of the sixth with five runs. Two-time PacWest Freshman of the Week Megan Massa smacked a RBI double to left field and later scored on a single by Amanda Gjertsen.  Sydney Sprinkle's RBI single shortly afterwards gave the Eagles an eight-run lead which promptly ended the game in six innings.

"We're just trying to stick to our game plan and stay calm and hit the ball hard," added Gjertsen. "It was fun."

Massa ended the first game 3-for-4 with 2 RBI and Michelle Lieng added a RBI double as well.

Game 2

In the second contest, CUI's Erika Morris earned her third win in the circle by going six innings and only allowing three hits and one run.  The freshman also struck out six and only walked one batter.

Fellow freshman Sydney Sprinkle provided some early offense with a solo shot that she rocketed over the left field fence. The Eagles led 1-0 after the opening frame and never looked back.

"Sprinkle started us off better in game two," said Rosenthal. "Our catchers have been big time for us this year and we were glad to get the wins today."

Massa kept the pressure on by placing a RBI triple to left field in the third inning that scored Sarah Kretschmar.  Gjertsen laid down a perfect bunt a couple pitches later for an infield hit that plated Massa and made it 3-0 Eagles.

In the fourth, Massa was at it again. The Fairfield, Calif. native curved another extra-base hit down the left field line for a RBI double that scored Kretschmar and stretched the CUI lead to 4-1. That wound up being the final score.

Jordan Quinn came in to close it out in the seventh and earned her first save of the year with two strikeouts in a clean inning.

"Our pitchers are rocking it," said Graham. "They are hitting their spots, making the ball move and making it tough out there which is really good. They are helping us out and giving the offense time to figure it out. It was a good day for the Eagles."

On Deck

The Eagles and Silverswords will meet again on Saturday, March 23 for another doubleheader at Eagles Field starting at noon.  The Eagles will also host Hawai'i Hilo this coming Monday and Tuesday in Irvine.

For the Full CUI softball schedule, click here.