BRISBANE, Calif. - Concordia head coach Crystal Rosenthal's list of accomplishments as both a player and a coach reads like an encyclopedia.  All throughout the Concordia softball record book, you see her name.  The list is long.  She was a former team captain at Concordia as a player, and she ranks in the top 10 in nearly every single season and career record in CUI softball history.  Her success on the diamond ultimately landed her in the Concordia Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008.

Her career didn't end when she ran out of eligibility, however, she just transitioned to coaching.  She spent time coaching high school, travel ball, and as an assistant at Concordia for seven years.  Since taking over as head coach in 2009, the Eagles have reached levels previously unseen in school history. 

In Coach Rosenthal's very first season, the Eagles set the single season record for wins, finishing with 41 for the year.  Each of the next three years, they broke the record again, increasing their win total in each season.  In 2012, the Eagles won a school record 56 games and lost only four, a record that still stands today.  The following year, the Eagles went 52-3 and won the NAIA National Championship.

Coach Rosenthal's career winning percentage of .809 is far and away the greatest in Concordia history.  In 2011, Rosenthal collected her 100^th career win.  In 2013, she hit the 200 win mark.  In 2015, she went over 300 career wins.  In 2017, she topped the 400 marker, and on Wednesday afternoon in Brisbane, California, Rosenthal won her 500th game as Concordia softball head coach.

"The key to our success has been, first and foremost, my staff over the years, from coaches to trainers to the administration, but in particular, associate head coach Rose Imbriano, who has been with me every step of the way," said Coach Rosenthal.  "Then, of course, our amazing players who have been here the last 11 years."

"I appreciate every kid that has played for us here," she continued.  "God is good, and He has blessed Eagles softball, and I feel very fortunate to be a part of the program."

Despite the transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II, Rosenthal and the Eagles have just kept winning.  With no sign of slowing down anywhere in sight, the Eagles will continue to rack up the wins, just as they've done for the last 11 years under Coach Rosenthal's leadership.

Game One:
While Coach Rosenthal was on the verge of an incredible accomplishment, she was still one win away entering Wednesday's doubleheader with ART U.  Sophomore Callie Nunes was in the circle for the Eagles, and for the fourth time in 2019 and sixth time in her career, she was unhittable.  Nunes was dominant from start to finish, allowing only two walks, while striking out 12. 

"My curve and change were really working for me today," said Nunes, "and I had a couple good rises that helped a ton."

After giving up a leadoff walk to start the seventh and then retiring ART U catcher Lauryn Henderson on a fielder's choice, Nunes struck out the final two batters to clinch the no hitter.  With the win, Coach Rosenthal earned her 500^th in her career, and the Eagles did it in style.

"Crystal has played a significant role in my growth both as a player and as an individual outside the world of sports," said Nunes.  "She has been someone I have come to in low times and someone I have gone to celebrate with."

Nunes continued, "She is constantly pushing me forward and making sure I know she's with me every step of the way."

Nunes' performance is even more impressive considering that ART U starter Hannah Rose Balke pitched a gem herself.  Over the first four innings, the Eagles were able to get runners on, but Balke escaped each time and the game remained scoreless. 

In the fifth, the Eagles finally broke through, giving Nunes the only runs she needed.  With Megan Massa on second base and two outs, Sydney Sprinkle singled to left to drive in the first run of the game.  Mackenzie Graham then brought her home on a hit of her own.  At the end of five, the Eagles led, 2-0.

CUI added another pair in the sixth on hits by Sarah Kretschmar and Massa, along with an error from ART U that brought in the lead runner.  Another single by Sydni Dix put the Eagles up, 4-0.  Nunes finished it off and the Eagles won their ninth straight game.

Sydni Dix finished 3-for-4 at the plate, and Sydney Sprinkle added two hits in three at bats.  Megan Massa scored a pair of runs.

Game Two:
After the thrilling performance in game one, the Eagles won again in game two, stretching their winning streak to 10 games, and doing so with a complete team performance.

CUI scored five runs on nine hits, used two pitchers, and overcame an early deficit to sweep the doubleheader.  Sydney Sprinkle continued her hot hitting, going three-for-four at the plate and increasing her team leading batting averaging to .374.  Sarah Kretschmar added a pair of hits, as well, going two-for-two at the plate and scoring twice.  Lauren Lopez had a pair of RBIs hitting out of the nine spot in the Eagles' lineup.

Erika Morris and Callie Nunes each pitched in the second game, with Morris going 2.1 innings before being relieved by Nunes in the third.  With the Eagles trailing 2-0, Nunes pitched 4.2 shutout innings, earning her sixth win of the week, while lowering her ERA to 0.99 for the season.

"I do get tired," said Nunes, "but everyone is tired right now.  The team comes first, and if the team needs me to pitch, I will give them 100 percent of whatever it is I have left in me."

With the Eagles trailing by a pair entering the fourth inning, the offense went to work.  Three hits, a stolen base, an Urban Knights error, and a perfectly executed squeeze play later, the Eagles had the lead, 4-0, midway through the fourth.

In the sixth inning, they added another.  With two on and two out, Megan Massa singled to left center, driving in Kretschmar and giving the Eagles an insurance run.  Nunes gave up one unearned run in the sixth, but held on, and the Eagles finished the day with a second win, beating the Urban Knights, 5-3.

For the full CUI softball schedule, click here.