The Eagles put their six game winning streak on the line on Monday, taking on a strong Hawaii Hilo team.  Though the Eagles came in sporting an impressive 23-3 record, the Vulcans came in at 20-8 and have one of the top lineups in the PacWest Conference.  The two teams both showed their strength throughout the day, with strong pitching, timely hitting, and tremendous defense.  While the Vulcans got the best of the Eagles in game one, the Eagles came back in game two to win in dramatic fashion.

Game One: The Eagles played from behind from the very beginning of game one.  Hawaii Hilo shortstop Kiarra Lincoln gave the Vulcans a quick lead, hitting a leadoff home run that just snuck over the left field wall.  For much of the game, Lincoln's home run was the only run for either team, as both starting pitchers were able to work in and out of jams in nearly every inning.

For Callie Nunes, the game was a struggle from start to finish.  While she was able to strike out 10 Vulcan hitters, she struggled with her control throughout.  Nunes walked a career high 10 hitters, but over the first five innings, the leadoff home run was the only damage the Vulcans were able to inflict upon her, thanks in part to a tremendous diving catch by Sarah Kretschmar in the third. 

In the sixth, HHU broke the game open.  After two walks, Chloe Domingo crushed a three run home run to left field to give the Vulcans a four run lead.  They added another in the top of the seventh, and led 5-0 midway through the seventh.

In the seventh, the Eagles' offense came alive, but it wasn't enough.  McKinsey Thorpe began the inning with a bunt single, Amanda Gjertsen added a walk, Sydney Sprinkle knocked in the first run of the game for the Eagles with a single, and Mackenzie Graham singled to load the bases with two outs.  Despite giving themselves a chance in the final inning, Valerie Alvarado was able to get out the jam without surrendering another run.  HHU won game one, 5-1.

Nunes went 6.1 innings, throwing 157 total pitches in the loss, just her third on the year.  The five earned runs is the most she has given up in a single game in her career.

"She's working on some things," said head coach Crystal Rosenthal.  "I think she's going to be okay."

Game Two: While game one saw a lot of baserunners from start to finish, game two saw a pair of pitchers that dominated the entire way.  Erika Morris for the Eagles and Billo Derleth for the Vulcans squared off in a pitcher's duel and hits didn't come easy.

Over the first five innings, the Eagles collected only two hits, one from Graham and one from Thorpe.  On the other side, the Vulcans were just as helpless against Morris.  Through six, Morris struck out five and worked through the HHU lineup with ease.  Midway through the sixth, the game remained tied at zero.

"You have to give credit to Hilo making big pitches in big spots," said coach Rosenthal.  "We have to do a better job executing with runners in scoring position.  Hitting is contagious.  We had a very similar stretch at the end of March last year.  We're going to work hard tomorrow so see if we can do better."  

In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Eagles finally got to Derleth.  Thorpe collected her second hit of the day, reaching on a single up the middle to begin the rally.  Two batters later, pinch hitter Sydni Dix roped a single to left center and moved up to second on the throw to third.  With one out, Amanda Gjertsen's bunt single brought in Thorpe to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead.  The Eagles then executed another perfect bunt, with Sprinkle laying down a bunt on a squeeze play, bringing home Myka Hughes, who pinch ran for Gjertsen.  At the end of six, the Eagles led 2-0.

"Our program has been known for doing anything we can to score runs," said coach Rosenthal.  "It's about winning the game however you can."

Finally working with a lead, Morris returned to the circle in the top of the seventh.  The Vulcans then put together a rally of their own.  Vevesi Liilii began the inning with a double for HHU, and then Brinell Kaleikini brought her home with a single to right to cut the Eagles lead to one.  With no outs and the tying run on first, Morris buckled down.  She struck out two consecutive hitters, and though Kiarra Lincoln singled with two outs, Morris forced a weak groundball from the next hitter to end the game.  The Eagles won game two, 2-1.

Morris went the distance, earning her first full seven inning complete game of her career.  With the win, she lowered her ERA to 1.48 on the season. 

"Erika has worked hard to build her pitching repertoire," said coach Rosenthal.  "Her ball is sharp and heavy and she's got a really good pace.  She's an athlete.  What a great day to have a great day."

While the two games were a battle on Monday between two strong opponents, there's little time to rest for either.  The Eagles and Vulcans will clash again tomorrow afternoon on Eagles Field in another doubleheader.  Game one begins at 2:00 PM.

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