IRVINE, Calif. – For the first time in school history, the Concordia University Irvine softball team debuted in the NCAA DII Super Regional on Friday against the UC San Diego Tritons.

Unfortunately for the Eagles, game one did not go the way they planned as the Tritons earned a 9-1 victory to open the best-of-3 series.

Two-Time NFCA Pitcher of the Week Callie Nunes started strong, striking out two batters in the first frame.  She finished with four punchouts but the Tritons struck first in the top of the third inning.

In her second at-bat, freshman outfielder Keila Bosinger put UC San Diego on the board with a two-run homer over the left field wall. Maddy Lewis added a solo shot in the fifth to put the Tritons up 3-0.

The Eagles threatened in the bottom of the fifth after Michelle Lieng worked a walk and Sarah Kretschmar reached on a bloop single up the middle just past the bag.  McKinsey Thorpe fouled off five consecutive pitches and worked a full count but ultimately popped up in foul territory for the second out of the inning.  Lauren Lopez was called upon to pinch-hit and pushed a solid bouncer past the mound, but Tritons second baseman Sherriah Harrington made a run-saving stab by diving to her right.  Harrington was then able to throw over to first just in time for the final out of the inning. It was a huge play because instead of pulling within 3-2, the Eagles entered the sixth still trailing 3-0.

UC San Diego kept the momentum and responded by putting up a six spot in the next half inning.  After a couple fielder's choices prolonged the inning, the Tritons capitalized and extended their lead to 9-0. 

Mackenzie Graham became the first CUI Eagle to collect an RBI in the Super Regional, knocking in Sydni Dix in the sixth inning. But the Green and Gold were unable to get in a rhythm on offense.

D2CCA First Team All-Region pitcher Robyn Wampler brought her A-game to Irvine. Wampler went the distance, limiting the Eagles to just three hits and one unearned run in six innings of work. Wampler improved to 23-7 on the year with the victory.

"I think in that last inning it was important that we kept having good at-bats," said Graham. "We're going to see her tomorrow so it was really important. We need to follow our game plan better and execute better."

"We just need to have a better approach and we need to stick to that approach and I felt that was what we didn't really do today," said Sydni Dix, who had a single and scored a run.

VIDEO: CUI's Dix, Graham and Coach Rosenthal reflect on game one and look ahead to Friday's rematch

Game 2 of the NCAA DII West Super Regional is scheduled for Friday, May 17 at 12 p.m. PT. If the Eagles win game two to tie the series, game three will become necessary and is scheduled to start at 2:30 p.m.

"I don't think we'll have a lack of fight," said CUI head coach Crystal Rosenthal. "It's not earth-shattering. It's a loss. I think part of winning is you have to accept when you don't play well. We didn't and so tomorrow our game plan will be to get up and do what we've been doing all year which is playing well, being prepared and sticking together."

The advancing team will represent the West Region as one of eight squads in the NCAA DII College World Series out in Denver, Colo.

For tickets, team info and directions to Eagles Field, click here for our Tournament Central Page.

For the full CUI softball schedule, click here.