IRVINE, Calif. – An offensive explosion, a timely catch, and an impressive performance on the mound helped No. 10 Concordia University Irvine win its weekend series with Azusa Pacific.

After falling behind 4-0, CUI scored seven unanswered runs in Saturday's matinee to make it three straight victories over the Cougars.  APU avoided the series sweep by winning the second contest 7-0, but the Eagles improved to 9-4 overall and 5-3 in conference play thanks to their 7-4 win in game one.

Game 1: CUI 7, APU 4

The first game on Saturday featured a crazy third inning where the two teams combined for ten runs.  APU jumped ahead 4-0 but then CUI responded with a vengeance.

Jocelyn Pino started the rally with a single and then Rylie Rohr followed that with a double to the gap. After CUI plated its first run thanks to a rare passed ball and catcher's interference, Sydney Sprinkle put the ball in play and scored Rohr on a productive RBI groundout.

The next batter was Missy Nemeth. The sophomore from Glendora, Calif. confidently supplied a clutch hit with a two-run single down the right field line to tie the contest 4-4.

Erika Morris then capped off the onslaught with a pinch-hit two-run homer to put CUI in front to stay, 6-4.

"It was awesome to get the opportunity to pick the team up," said Morris. "I'm glad we had a chance to come back and respond and I thought it was awesome that we were able to respond in that way."

Another key moment came in the top of the sixth inning when APU loaded the bases with two outs.

The Cougars put the ball in play but second baseman McKinsey Thorpe stretched back on the edge of the infield to rob a base hit and prevent the tying runs from scoring to end the inning.

VIDEO: CLICK HERE for McKinsey Thorpe's clutch catch with the bases loaded

"That could have really shifted the game," said Rosenthal. "That was a big pitch and a big play by Thorpe for sure."

The Eagles added an insurance run to complete the scoring thanks to a sacrifice fly by Rohr in the bottom of the sixth.

Kelsea Sweeney earned her first career win as an Eagle. She struck out seven batters including the final Cougar she faced to cement the victory.

VIDEO: CLICK HERE to see the final out in CUI's 7-4 win on Saturday

"It was definitely a team effort, we really worked hard for that win," said Sweeney. "We were scrappy and pulled things together and I was just excited to be out on the mound and get a win with my team."

"She's been improving a lot," said Rosenthal. "She's got really good velocity and I thought she did a really good job spotting the ball up. Taking three of four from anybody is a good feat. I thought we battled back well in that first game, so proud of that first game."

VIDEO: Morris reflects on taking three of four from APU
VIDEO: Sweeney talks about helping her team and earning her first win for CUI

Game 2: APU 7, CUI 0

The Eagles tried to finish off the four-game series sweep but the Cougars had other ideas. A couple of home runs helped APU jump in front in the first inning.

The Eagles found themselves playing catch up and Rohr broke up the no-hit bid by Aly Montesino in the fifth inning with a single.  But the Cougars were able to fend off CUI's attempts to creep back into the contest. APU escaped the brooms and the Eagles settled for three wins in four games in the last 48 hours which was still a step in the right direction.

"The second game was a tough loss but we really stuck together and we held people up when they were down," added Morris. "We're going to play them so many more times. We're going to come back and try to get all four in the next series."

The Eagles are scheduled to return to action on Wednesday, March 31 when the face Biola on the road.

CLICK HERE for the updated CUI softball schedule.

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