During the final 10 days of 2019, the PacWest is counting down 10 memorable events from across the conference in the calendar year. This is the fourth installment in the 2019 Games of the Year series, featuring Concordia softball’s shutout victory at Academy of Art.
 
BRISBANE, Calif. – On April 17, Callie Nunes pitched her sixth career no-hitter to lead Concordia softball to a 4-0 win over Academy of Art, giving head coach Crystal Rosenthal her 500^th career victory.
 
The first meeting of the season between Academy of Art and Concordia started as a pitching dual before the Eagles scored twice in both the fifth and sixth innings. Then Nunes got the final six outs to complete the no-no and secure her 27th win of the season to push Concordia’s record to 38-6 on the season.
 
Nunes struck out four batters in a row in the first two innings and then struck out the side in order in the fourth inning in 16 pitches. The Eagles put runners in scoring position but didn’t get a run across in the first four innings. Heather Nonora started the fifth inning with a leadoff walk. Megan Massa reached on a fielder’s choice and stole second base to get into scoring position. Sydney Sprinkle then drove in the first run of the game with a single through the left side for a 1-0 lead.
 
Mackenzie Graham made it a 2-0 lead with a base hit to left field to drive in a second run. Then in the sixth frame, Sarah Kretschmar opened the inning with a single up the middle. Massa also got a single with two outs through the left side and Kretschmar came around to score on an error. Sydni Dix made it a 4-0 lead with a third single in the inning, this time going through the ride side to plate Massa.
 
Nunes continued her no-hit bid with a strike out and two pop outs in the sixth inning to retire the side in order to make it 17-consecutive retired batters. She then walked out to the circle three outs away from her sixth career no-hitter in the bottom of the seventh inning. The streak of retired batters ended with a leadoff walk. Nunes induced a ground ball to get the first out of the inning. Nunes then got her 11^th strikeout of the game, getting a swing and a miss for the second out of the inning.
 
"My curve and change were really working for me today," said Nunes after the game. “I had a couple good rises that helped a ton."
 
Brenna Youngquist was Academy of Art’s last chance to break up the no-hitter. After falling behind 0-2, Youngquist fouled off a pitch to stay alive. Then Nunes got her to chase a pitch for another strikeout. It was Nunes’ fifth 12-strikeout performance of the season and her third no-hitter with that many strikeouts. The sophomore only allowed two walks in her seventh-consecutive win.
 
Rosenthal now has 509 career wins since taking the head coach position at Concordia in 2009. The led the Eagles to the No. 1 ranking in the nation from the NFCA later in the season for the first time in program history. She also led Concordia to its third PacWest title across all sports.
 
"The key to our success has been, first and foremost, my staff over the years, from coaches to trainers to the administration, but in particular, associate head coach Rose Imbriano, who has been with me every step of the way," Rosenthal said.  "Then, of course, our amazing players who have been here the last 11 years. I appreciate every kid that has played for us here. God is good, and He has blessed Eagles softball, and I feel very fortunate to be a part of the program."
 
2019 GAMES OF THE YEAR
8. Chaminade men’s basketball at Azusa Pacific (February 19)
9. Holy Names men’s golf at PacWest Championships (April 24)
10: Fresno Pacific women’s cross country at PacWest Championships (October 25)