Eagles Sweep APU on

Eagles Sweep APU on "Heather Day" - Next Step: Regionals

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Spencer Stueve

In the final series of the regular season, the top two teams in the PacWest Conference squared away in a Saturday doubleheader.  For the Eagles, winners of 13 straight entering the day, the season finale was a time for them to show their worth heading into the postseason.  The Azusa Pacific Cougars have had a strong season, as well, and are playing their best as they head into the postseason.  APU entered Saturday with a nine game winning streak and winners in 17 of their previous 18 games.  Something had to give, and on Saturday, it was the Eagles who prevailed.  Behind a breakout offensive performance, CUI won game one, 8-6, and a brilliant performance by Erika Morris in the circle in game two gave the Eagles another doubleheader sweep.

Game One:  The Eagles have proven throughout the season that they are capable of winning in a myriad of ways.  Even though Callie Nunes struggled, giving up more earned runs (6) than in any game in her career, the Eagles still won, 8-6. 

"All year long we've been pretty balanced," said head coach Crystal Rosenthal.  "I think it's been a key for us."

The CUI offense exploded in the series opener, scoring nine runs on nine hits with a pair of home runs and a pair of doubles. 

The Eagles got on the board in the first inning and never looked back.  Megan Massa led off the inning with a walk and was then moved up on a sacrifice bunt by Sydni Dix.  She came home on a throwing error by APU pitcher Racqual Espinoza.  At the end of one, CUI led 1-0.

In the third, the Eagles scored another playing small ball. After a leadoff hit by Sydney Sprinkle, Julianna Covarrubias pinch ran, stole second, moved up to third on a groundout, and came home on a suicide squeeze by Amanda Gjertsen. 

APU came back to tie the game in the top of the fifth inning, but the Eagles' offense re-took the lead in the following half inning.  With two on and one out, Amanda Gjertsen took a 1-1 pitch and smashed it over the left center field wall.  It was Gjertsen's fourth home run of the season, and it put the Eagles up for good. 

In the sixth, the Eagles added three more runs on four more hits.  A pair of doubles by Dix and Sprinkle plated the first run of the inning, and Mackenzie Graham brought in two more on a towering home run to straight away center field, her seventh of the season.

Though the Cougars hung around and kept the game close, Nunes was able to escape with a win, her 31st of the season.  CUI won game one, 8-6, their 14th consecutive victory.

"It was exciting for the offense to give Callie support when she needed it," said coach Rosenthal. 

Eagle Eye:  Sydney Sprinkle finished three-for-four at the plate with two runs and an RBI.  Amanda Gjertsen was two-for-three with four RBIs and a run scored. 

Game Two:  Freshman sensation Erika Morris was at her best on Saturday, throwing a complete game, giving up just one run on two hits.  The freshman earned her ninth win, and has emerged as one of the strongest number two pitchers for any DII team in the West Region.

"There aren't a lot of pitchers better than her in the country," said coach Rosenthal.  "She has an unbelievable ability to keep the ball down and heavy."

With the game still scoreless in the bottom of the fourth inning, the Eagles got on the board with two runs on two hits.  Lauren Lopez's RBI single put the Eagles up, 2-0.  It was all Morris needed.

"That kid deserves some kind of player of the week or year award in the conference," coach Rosenthal believes.  "She deserves it.  She's been a huge reason for our success this year."

CUI added another run in the fifth on three hits, and APU added one late run against Morris, but it wasn't enough for the Cougars.  CUI won game two, 3-1, finishing their regular season with 15 straight wins, a 44-6 overall record, 30-3 conference record, and their second consecutive PacWest Conference Championship.  The 30 conference wins are the second-most in a season in PacWest Conference history.

With the win, Concordia outfielder Heather Nonora, the lone senior on the Eagles' roster, concludes her regular season career in green and gold.  Nonora was 92 percent for her career in stolen base attempts, she's played in over 125 career games, and contributed in 168 wins in her career as an Eagle.  

Eagle Eye: Lauren Lopez finished 2-for-2 at the plate with a walk and an RBI.  Sydney Sprinkle finished 2-for-3. 

"I think this has been one of my funnest seasons," said coach Rosenthal.  "I really enjoy this team.  They play the style of softball that I've always envisioned us playing."

Asked what needs to be done in the two weeks before the regionals begin, coach Rosenthal said, "rest for sure, practice hard, run hard, lift hard."

ON DECK:

CUI continues its season in the NCAA Regionals.  Time, date, and locations TBA.

For the full CUI softball schedule, click here.
 
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