IRVINE, Calif. – The first two softball games of the year for the Eagles were very different but they both ultimately had the same rewarding result.  Playing off-campus in the Concordia Kickoff Classic over at Great Park, the Green and Gold eked out a low-scoring affair in the season opener before seeing its offense come alive in the nightcap.

For the Concordia Kickoff Classic Tournament Central webpage, click here.
 
Game 1: CUI 1, Cal State San Marcos 0
 
No. 10 Concordia University Irvine prevailed 1-0 over Cal State San Marcos in a pitcher's duel that ultimately came down to just a few key plays.
 
NFCA All-American pitcher Callie Nunes was fantastic for the Eagles. The Preseason PacWest Pitcher of the Year struck out ten batters and only allowed four hits in seven frames. She struck out the side in the first inning on her way to her first complete game shutout of the year.
 
With 23 total shutouts now to her name, Nunes tied Grayson Harvey for second-most in Concordia softball history. Katie Cotta holds the record with 27 career shutouts.
 
"I was really proud of Callie," added Rosenthal. "A year of growth and much different from game one last year. She threw great and she threw like a number one should. She kept us in the game when we literally couldn't hit water if we fell in it."
 
Cougars pitcher Jamie Ponce was solid on the mound as well and kept the Eagles at bay for the first six innings. With no score in the top of the seventh inning, CUI sophomore Sydney Sprinkle supplied a clutch double and then made way for her teammate Myka Hughes to roam the basepaths. Nicole Lukinbeal placed a perfectly timed sacrifice bunt to move Hughes over to third base and then Amanda Gjertsen followed that up with another bunt to catch the Cougars off guard. CUI capitalized as Hughes hustled home for the only run of the contest.
 
CUI second baseman McKinsey Thorpe also saved the day by making a diving stop to her right in the bottom of the seventh. CSUSM had the potential game-tying run in scoring position but by knocking down a hard-hit grounder, Thorpe kept the ball in the infield and got the out at first base from her knees. The important play prevented the Cougars from tying the game and ultimately stranded the runner at third.
 
Two batters later, Nunes coerced a popup to shortstop Sarah Kretschmar to preserve the win.
 
"What a great play that was by McKinsey Thorpe up the middle," added Rosenthal. What a grinder. That basically won us the game."
 
"It felt amazing," said Nunes. "We had McKinsey with an amazing play to save the day and it felt good to get the first game out of the way and get a W."
 
Game 2: CUI 19, Cal State East Bay 4
 
After only managing three hits in their first victory, Concordia's offense exploded with 17 hits and 19 runs against the Cal State East Bay Pioneers.
 
It was the most runs scored in a game for the CUI softball program since January of 2015.
 
The Eagles were keyed by a ten-run fourth inning. Newcomer Jocelyn Pino started off the hit parade with a leadoff double. Alyssa Turner had not one but two RBI singles in the frame and Sprinkle, Gjertsen and Megan Massa all supplied extra-base hits to help the onslaught. CUI batted around and put the game out of reach.
 
"The first game I think everyone was just nervous," admitted Taylor. "Offensively, I think it was we just were tight and we weren't ourselves the first game. We came out in the second game and it was like we were seeing basketballs or something but that's how I felt. Everyone was just loose."
 
In addition to seeing the ball well at the plate, Turner also made an impressive diving catch in left field that did not go unnoticed by the fans or her head coach.
 
"Turner has had an outstanding spring," added Rosenthal. "She made it impossible for me not to see her. So giving her a chance and to see her succeed in-game is awesome. That catch was beautiful."
 
The tenth-ranked Eagles play twice more on Saturday with their first game of the day at 12:30 p.m. against No. 20 Chico State at the Great Park Stadium. The Wildcats also opened the season with two victories on Friday.
 
"It was really cool to play here," added Rosenthal. "I want to say thank you to our support staff, to our CUI administration and athletics department and everyone that has helped out with this tournament. It's a beautiful facility and the city of Irvine has a first-class ballpark here so I thought it was cool for our kids to get to play here and a really good atmosphere."

For the Concordia Kickoff Classic Tournament Central webpage, click here.

For the 2020 CUI softball season preview, click here.
 
For the full CUI softball schedule, click here.