LA MIRADA, CA. - On Saturday afternoon, the #12 CUI softball team faced off against Biola for the first time this season. The Golden Eagles entered the matchup winners of their last four games including a 12-2 record in PacWest Play
The opening game was a great pitching duel as neither side was able to amass any runs. Finally in the bottom of the fifth the Eagles would strike first as they got on the board with a sacrifice fly. CUI would immediately respond with Missy Nemeth belting a line drive off the centerfielder's glove to drive in two runs. Biola would later score off a wild pitch and after another scoreless frame, the game headed into extra innings.
As the game progressed, the Golden Eagles' outfield was firing on all cylinders preventing Biola from getting multiple walk-off hits. Meanwhile Concordia's lineup still was looking to capitalize heading into the top of the tenth.
With the extra innings rule placing Kaia Nisby at second, Megan Massa laid down a great bunt to advance her to third. Then Mary Baccay would step up and poke a single past Biola's third baseman to give CUI the 3-2 lead.
In a great relief effort, Cortney Koelmans would secure the win in Game 1 as she pitched 3.1 scoreless innings.
The second game of the day saw another pitching duel as Rae Flores and Biola's Kayla Bousquette kept both teams off the scoreboard through the first 5 innings of play.
In the top of the 6th, Sydney Sprinkle would kickstart the CUI bats with a two-out single up the middle. Alina Giles would come in as a pinch runner and would reach third off a Jocelyn Pino hit to right-center. Rylie Rohr would then come up clutch driving in Giles on a 1-2 count.
With the 1-0 lead, Daniela Alvarez would come out of the bullpen and toss two more scoreless innings to complete the sweep and earn her third save of the season. Flores lowers her ERA to 1.07 and earns her fifth win of the season.
Saturday's sweep moves the Golden Eagles to 26-6 in the 2023 campaign and 14-2 in conference action.
CUI will be back in action on March 31st for a double header at San Marcos.
For the full CUI softball schedule CLICK HEREÂ
