IRVINE, Calif. – The nationally-ranked Concordia University Irvine softball finished the regular season all alone in first place in the PacWest Conference standings after a unique situation played out up north on Thursday.

No. 23 CUI had already clinched the No. 1 seed in the upcoming conference tournament after the Golden Eagles beat Azusa Pacific twice this past Saturday in their regular season finale. The Golden Eagles were a half game ahead of Biola entering this final week before the postseason.

Then on Thursday, Menlo defeated second-place Biola 4-3 in a make-up game as the two teams completed a halted contest that had been originally started back on March 3 in Atherton. The game had been paused with the score tied 3-3 in extra innings due to a facility conflict.

This is the seventh time Concordia softball has finished in first place since joining the PacWest Conference. Concordia has also won each of the first three PacWest Conference Softball Tournaments.

They will try to go for four straight titles at the PacWest Conference Championships next week in La Mirada.

The first game will be Tuesday, May 4 at 2:00 p.m. PT as Concordia is matched up against No. 4 seed Jessup. The double elimination tournament runs for three days with a champion being crowned on Thursday, May 7 and earning an automatic qualifying bid for the NCAA West Regional.

The Golden Eagles are on pace to make the NCAA West Regional regardless for the eighth straight year.

CUI was listed No. 3 in the first NCAA regional rankings that came out this week. Eight teams – including the three automatic qualifiers from the PacWest, CCAA and GNAC – make the regional.

CLICK HERE for the final PacWest softball standings

CLICK HERE for the updated CUI softball schedule