IRVINE, Calif. - The Concordia University Irvine softball team played its season opener on Friday against Vanguard University. Ranked No. 11 in the country in the NFCA DII rankings, the Eagles swept the Lions in their home opener doubleheader. 
 
In the first game, the Eagles started off strong, scoring one run in the first inning. Missy Nemeth slammed a single out to center field to score Lauren Lopez. In the third inning, Sydney Sprinkle powered one out over the left field fence to bring in Megan Massa, who got on by single, making the score 3-0.  
 
In the fifth and sixth innings the Lions rallied, bringing the score to 3-2. However, in the bottom of the sixth, Concordia answered back with a solo shot by Nemeth over the center field wall.

"I feel like I was seeing the ball really well today," said Nemeth. "It felt really good coming off my bat and it was good to help the team out."
 
Callie Nunes pitched a strategic game. She lasted all seven innings, struck out 10 batters and held Vanguard to two runs, allowing her team to win the first game. The final score ended up 4-2.
 
In the second game, the Eagles got to utilize their lights for their first-ever night game and the players were ecstatic. When Lopez was asked how she felt about competing under the lights she said it was "super cool." Lopez elaborated, "Even when we practice under the lights it's so fun with the sunset and everything," she continued. "It's super cool to have our home opener under the lights and win." 
 
In the second game, freshman Cortney Koelmans got her first-ever start on the mound. The Lions scored one run in the first inning but the Eagles quickly fought back tying it up in the second inning and slowly building up until they held a 6-1 lead. Some highlights from the first game were Megan Johnson batting in Lopez for an RBI single, Megan Massa with a sacrifice fly to score Rylie Rohr, and Sydni Dix with a two-run base hit to score Johnson and Koelmans.
 
A number of Eagles batted .500 and above including Lopez, Dix, Rohr, and Johnson.
 
In the circle, a number of pitchers got a chance to throw including Koelmans, Erika Morris, Rae Flores, and Kelsea Sweeney. Morris ended up with the win for the pitching staff and the final score of the game was 6-2.   
 
Head coach and athletic director Crystal Rosenthal was excited to be back on the field.

"It was great to have an opportunity to get back out on our field," she said. "It's been a long time since we played a home game."
 
"We may not have played as well as I would have liked, but the opportunity to play is big for us this year," Rosenthal explained. "The lights are game changers, they are well done. It gives us a whole different feel, I can't wait for our fans to come back so they can feel what it's like to have a game under the lights."
 
Click HERE to view the updated CUI softball team's schedule.
 
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