The Concordia Eagles took on the Holy Names Hawks on Monday and finished with another doubleheader sweep.  Both Callie Nunes and Erika Morris pitched for the Eagles, and each starred in different ways.  Nunes, the All-American, picked up a pair of wins, while Morris, the freshman, proved she can help the team in many ways.  It wasn't just her job in the circle that was impressive on Monday, but her brilliance in the batter's box.  In game one, she hit a pair of late home runs, and in the second game, she scored the game winning run in extras.  Morris wasn't the only Eagle to have a big day at the plate, however.  Sydni Dix finished the two games 5-for-7 at the plate with four runs scored.  Sydney Sprinkle finished 3-for-7 with six RBI.

Game One:
With Nunes on the mound in the opener, runs were sure to be at a premium for the Hawks, and though seldom does Nunes need more than a run or two from her offense to lead the Eagles to victory, she got plenty of help in game one.

The sophomore right hander pitched another complete game and earned her 23^rd win of the season.  She gave up just three hits and struck out six in her shutout performance.  The best scoring opportunity for the Hawks came in the first inning.  After the first two batters reached, Nunes retired the next three in order to end the scoring threat.  Holy Names went down quietly the rest of the way.

For the Eagles' offense, it was a different story.  They scored early to give Nunes a lead and then exploded late for a run rule win.  With two on and one out in the first, Mackenzie Graham singled to right to drive in the first run of the game.  The Eagles led 1-0 until the fifth inning.

In the top of the fifth, the offense came alive.  CUI scored six runs on five hits and broke the game wide open.  Sydni Dix and Amanda Gjertsen each doubled, and Erika Morris took a 3-1 pitch and homered to center field.  At the end of five, the Eagles led 7-0.

In the sixth, the offense added five more.  After two quick outs, CUI collected five straight hits, including two more home runs.  After a single by Dix, Sydney Sprinkle homered to center to put the Eagles up 9-0.  After two more hits, Erika Morris hit her second home run in as many innings, taking a 1-2 pitch and depositing it over the left field wall.  The Eagles won game one, 12-0.

"[Morris] has had some huge at bats for us and today was impressive," said head coach Crystal Rosenthal.

Game Two:
While game one saw the Eagles score nearly a dozen runs in the final two innings, it was again the late stages of game two where the drama unfolded.

Erika Morris was in the circle for the Eagles, fresh off a two home run performance at the plate, and she proved again that she's a player of many talents.  In six innings, she gave up just two runs, forcing 13 groundouts, while working in and out of jams the entire way. 

"Erika has been tremendous for us when we have needed her most," said coach Rosenthal.

The offense was quiet for much of the way for the Eagles, though in the third inning, Sydney Sprinkle came through again in a big way.  After homering in the first game of the doubleheader, Sprinkle hit her second long ball of the day, a two run shot over the left field wall that gave the Eagles a 2-0 lead.

The two run lead held until the bottom of the sixth inning when the Hawks were able to score a pair off Morris to tie the game.

In the seventh inning, Nunes came out of the bullpen and shut down the Hawks the rest of the way.  Still, the Eagles needed another run, and they got one in extra innings. 

After Morris led off the top of the eighth with a walk and moved up on a sacrifice bunt by Alyssa Turner, Sarah Kretschmar singled to left to bring in Morris.  It proved to be the game winning run.  Nunes finished the game off in the bottom of the eight, striking out the final two batters to close it out. 

"Sarah is a total grinder," said coach Rosenthal.  "It's no surprise to us.  She plays hard every single play and came up with a clutch hit today."

The Eagles continue their busy week on Tuesday, taking on Holy Names again in another doubleheader.  First pitch has been moved up to 11:30 a.m. and the Tuesday location has been moved to Blue Mission Field in Brisbane, Calif. at the home of Academy of Art.

For the full CUI softball schedule, click here.