IRVINE, Calif.- The No. 11 Concordia University Irvine softball team faced Azusa Pacific in a 3 and 5 p.m. doubleheader at Eagles Field.
 
CUI run ruled APU in game one, ending the game in five innings. Callie Nunes had a great performance in the circle and her offense backed her up in an exciting third inning.
 
"First game offense came alive," said head coach and athletic director Crystal Rosenthal. "I think we did a good job getting runners on and executing with runners in scoring position. I don't know that we hit great today, but definitely had better opportunities to score runs."
 
The second game was a tough fought battle. APU managed to take the win in the top of the eighth after great work done on both sides. 
 
Game One: CUI 9, APU 1
 
CUI's ace Nunes got the start and the win in the first game, which improved her record to 9-3 for the season. In the five innings, she only gave up two hits. Nunes forced the Cougars into 10 flyouts, three strikeouts, and two groundouts.
 
The Eagles lit up the third inning stacking six runs on the board. Senior Myka Hughes showed off her speed, beginning the inning with an infield single to the shortstop. McKinsey Thorpe then got on by a fielder's choice where Hughes beat out the throw to second. Missy Nemeth continued the inning with a walk. Bases were loaded with Sydney Sprinkle up, and she cranked a two-run RBI single to right field. Sydni Dix came up next, sneaking a single up the middle, loading the bases once again. Jocelyn Pino then smacked a clutch double down the right field line, cashing in two more runs. Lauren Lopez kept the inning going with a single to the left side. She scored one more run and advanced Pino and Dix. The Eagles scored one more run on a wild pitch, ending the inning up 6-1.
 
In the bottom of the fifth, Megan Massa hit a double to the left fielder which led to two more runs scoring for the Green and Gold. The final run of the game was plated on a wild pitch and the Eagles concluded the game up 9-1.  
 
Game Two: APU 3, CUI 0
 
Kelsea Sweeney started game two and did a fantastic job. She was locked in a pitching duel with APU's Aly Montesino. Both pitchers threw seven shutout innings. 
 
Sweeney coerced 15 groundouts, six strikeouts, and three flyouts. In eight innings, she only gave up a measly five hits.

Although the Eagles battled, the game ended up coming down to one swing in the top of the eighth by APU pitcher Aly Motesino when she connected for a three-run homer.
 
"I feel bad for Kelsea to lose that game, she pitched a great game, probably had some of her best stuff," stated Rosenthal. "Credit to their pitcher who had a great game and hit a ball when she needed to."
 
The Green and Gold made good contact at the plate. Both Sprinkle and Hughes had a single, but neither were able to make it around the bases. 

When Hughes was asked about the Eagles offensive performance she responded thoughtfully. 
 
"I think we just stayed aggressive, and that was our game plan," reflected Hughes. "We succeeded really well with it, (and) we didn't let off the breaks like we usually do, which is super good. Second game I think we made really good contact, it's just we made adjustments a little too late. So next time we will be ready." 
 
The softball team plays again on Friday, April 23 at Biola. They will play the Eagles at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. 

CUI then returns home to host Biola for a doubleheader beginning Saturday, April 24 at 12 p.m.
 
To view the updated CUI softball team's full schedule CLICK HERE.