After nearly two weeks off, the Eagles returned to the field on Thursday, taking on Concordia (Ore.), and they began postseason play with a nail-biting win.  For the second consecutive season, the Eagles earned the right to host the Division II regional, and after beating the Cavaliers 3-2 in their opening game, CUI is in prime position heading into the final two days of regional competition.

The first three innings of play saw both teams get on the board early, with the Eagles taking a lead in an unexpected way.  Trailing 2-1 in the second, McKinsey Thorpe smashed her first home run of the season, pulling an inside pitch down the right field line off the foul pole for her first home run of the season and first since 2017.

The three runs is all the Eagles needed.  After the Cavaliers added a run in the third, Erika Morris relieved starting pitcher Callie Nunes and was lights out the rest of the way.  In four innings, Morris gave up just one hit and no runs.  In the top of the sixth with a runner on third, the Eagles' defense helped preserve the lead and ultimately the win.  Amanda Gjertsen and Sarah Kretschmar made back-to-back web gems and Morris got out of the jam.

CUI went on to win 3-2.  They will play San Francisco State on Friday morning at 10 AM for a right to play in the Regional final on Saturday.

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