In her stunning freshman season in 2018, Callie Nunes finished with a 25-4 record, earning national acclaim and introducing herself as one of the best pitchers in Division II college softball.  As a sophomore, Nunes has continued to shine.  Beyond just the no hitters (three in 2019 alone), she has had many accomplishments in her career.  She's been named All-PacWest and All-America, she's put her name at or near the top of every national pitching category, and she's seen a 'W' next to her name after the game nearly every time she's taken the ball.  On Tuesday, she won her 50^th career game, running her record to 25-4 after game one, matching her 2018 record with eight regular season games remaining. 

While Nunes was a star as a freshman in 2018, Erika Morris continues to prove that she's a star as well in 2019.  The freshman right hander has improved throughout the season as the Eagles' number two pitcher, and gives the team an incredible 1-2 punch, while also contributing when she steps into the box to hit.  In game two against the Holy Names Hawks, Morris also pitched well, but the offense cooled, and the game was tight from start to finish.  The Eagles were able to come out on top, however, and after a strong outing from Morris, Nunes came out of the bullpen and earned her second win of the day, surpassing her win total from 2018 in the process.

Game One:
Nunes picked up right where she left off on Monday afternoon, throwing her second shutout of the week and dominating the Hawks from start to finish.  In five innings, she struck out ten hitters, while only giving up one hit and walking one.  After allowing both baserunners to reach in the first, she was perfect, retiring the final 13 hitters of the game. 

Just as Nunes was overpowering in the circle, the Eagles' offensive attack was too much for the Hawks, as well.  Over the previous six games, the Eagles have averaged seven runs per game, and in game one on Tuesday, they added another 10. 

Three Eagles finished the game with multiple hits.  Megan Massa has been steady at the top of the lineup for Coach Crystal Rosenthal all season, and in game one, she finished two-for-four with three runs scored.  Sydney Sprinkle, fresh off being named the PacWest Freshman of the Week, continued her hot hitting.  She finished two-for-three at the plate with two RBIs.  Catcher Mackenzie Graham did it all on Tuesday.  She collected two hits, while also knocking in two and walking twice.

In the third inning, the Eagles got the scoring started.  After back-to-back Hawks errors to start the inning, Sprinkle singled to left to bring in two.  Later in the inning, Erika Morris drove in another, hitting a bases loaded sac fly to put the Eagles up three.

In the fourth, it was more of the same.  A double by Massa brought in a run, and a single by Sprinkle brought in another.  An RBI hit by Graham put the Eagles up 6-0, and then she later came home on a wild pitch.  CUI added another on a sac fly by Amanda Gjertsen.  The Eagles led 8-0 after four, and added two more unearned in the fifth to close it out. 

Game Two:
Over the first four innings, Erika Morris was brilliant.  In the first inning, Haighley Kissee of Holy Names was hit by a pitch.  She was the only baserunner for the Hawks in the first four frames.  Morris was on her game, and though the Eagles' offense wasn't as dynamic in game two as they were in the opener, they gave her an early lead.

In the second inning, CUI got on the board when Sydni Dix was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.  In the top of the fifth, the Eagles added another.  Dix led off the inning with a walk and was moved up to second on a sacrifice bunt by Sprinkle.  Another bunt moved her up to third, and an infield hit by Gjertsen brought her home.  Small ball had given the Eagles a 2-0 lead.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Hawks finally got to Morris.  After breaking up her no hitter in the fifth, one inning later, they scored two runs to tie the game.  Callie Nunes came in out of the bullpen and finished off the inning, collecting the final two outs. 

With the game now tied, the Eagles used the same formula that worked for them on offense earlier in the game.  Dix again led off the inning with a hit by pitch, Heather Nonora pinch ran for her, and Sprinkle bunted Nonora into scoring position.  With one out, Mackenzie Graham doubled to the left centerfield gap and brought in the go-ahead run.  It was all Nunes needed.  She retired the Hawks in order in the bottom of the seventh to earn the doubleheader sweep.  With the win, Nunes earned her 26^th win of the season and the Eagles won their eighth straight.

With the win, the Eagles are now 12-0 all-time against Holy Names.

CUI continues their busy week on Wednesday, taking on Academy of Art on Mission Blue Field in Brisbane, Calif. in another doubleheader.  First pitch is at 12:00 PM.

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