LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The Western Washington University softball team closed out the season-opening Desert Stinger Tournament with a 11-3 loss to No. 10 nationally-ranked Concordia Irvine on Sunday afternoon at Majestic Park.

WWU ended the opening week of the 2019 season going 1-2, defeating Cal State Dominguez Hills 8-0, and then recording a pair of losses to nationally-ranked opponents. Concordia Irvine improved to 2-1 on the season riding a solid pitching performance by All-American Callie Nunes en route to the victory.

"I think this weekend was a great opportunity to play top-ranked teams right away so we could use it as a measuring stick for where we're at," said first-year head coach Sheryl Gilmore. "We're not where we want to be yet, but we're close and we will get better. Our pitchers competed their tails off, we had some great at-bats, and there are not words to describe the heart and the fight this team has. I'm excited to take the next step with these guys and can't wait to hit the field again later this week in Utah. The best is yet to come."

The Vikings took the early lead over the nationally-ranked Eagles with a single run in the top of the first inning. After Nunes recorded two quick outs, Makinlee Sellevold, Emily Benson and Paityn Cyr drew three consecutive walks to load the bases. Third baseman Seli Aholelei pushed home a run forcing a walk from the All-American pitcher on a full count to stake Western to the early lead.

Concordia forged ahead with four runs in the bottom of the 2^nd inning. First baseman Erika Morris led off with a solo home run to left field to tie the game, and the Eagles would three more runs in the frame. Concordia would add two more runs each in the 3^rd and 4^th innings to extend its lead to 8-1.

The Vikings cut into the deficit in the top of the 5^th inning when junior Paityn Cyr drilled a 2-out, 2-run home run to center field for WWU's first home run of the season. The longball was the 12^th of Cyr's career to tie for 8^th-most in WWU history.

First dinger of the year for Paityn Cyr, #️⃣1️⃣2️⃣ of her career to tie for 8th-most in @WWU_Softball history. 

📹 @DoanMama pic.twitter.com/Upq5k6vVhF
— WWU Athletics (@WWUAthletics) February 4, 2019

The Eagles halted any ideas of a WWU comeback plating three runs in the bottom of the 5^th inning to end the contest due to the tournament 8-run rule after five innings. Left fielder Michelle Lieng ended the game with a walk-off 2-run double down the left field line. 

Sellevold, who started all three games in the circle for the Vikings, suffered the loss to fall to 1-2 on the season. The senior right-hander allowed 6 runs (2 ER) and 5 hits in 2.1 innings. Sophomore Kira Doan finished the game in relief allowing 4 hits and 5 runs (4 ER) in 2.1 innings). Senior pitcher Shearyna Labasan, an All-GNAC two-way player in 2018, did not play this weekend due to being sidelined by an injury.

Nunes, who was 25-4, 0.95 and a First Team NFCA All-American and the National Freshman of the Year in 2018, recorded her first win of the season recording the complete game (5.0,3,3,1,5,6,HR). CUI second baseman McKinsey Thorpe was 2-for-2 as the Eagles spread their nine hits amongst seven different players.

The Vikings (1-2) return to action next week with six games at the Dixie State Courtyard Classic hosted by Dixie State University in St. George, Utah. The complete tournament schedule with links to live statistical updates can be found via the tournament website on DixieStateAthletics.com. WWU opens tournament play on Thursday (Feb. 7) with games against Western New Mexico (12:30 pm MT) and MSU Denver (3 pm MT).
 

The Vikings made their eighth appearance in the Desert Stinger and have a 21-17 all-time in the tournament. WWU did not appear in the Desert Stinger in 2010 and 2017. Western has posted a winning record five of eight trips to the Desert Stinger, including a perfect 5-0 record in 2011 and 4-1 in 2013.

WWU is scheduled to make its Viking Field debut in 2019 on March 2-3 with consecutive doubleheaders against Montana State Billings. The Vikings will play 14 home games during the 2019 season, all GNAC doubleheaders.

Up-to-date season information, including season statistics, bios, roster, schedule and historical information can be viewed online at WWUVikings.com/Softball. WWU Softball also has a strong social media presence on Instagram and Twitter via their handle @WWU_Softball.

The WWU softball program is in its 27^th season, with the Vikings posting a winning record in 16 seasons and made four trips to the NCAA Division II Championships. WWU won the 1998 NAIA National Championship to record the school's first ever team national title. Over the last five seasons leading up to the 2019 season, the Vikings recorded a 135-104 (.565) record and won the 2017 GNAC Tournament to advance to the NCAA II West Regional in Monterey, California. In the first game of the regional, the No. 8-seed Vikings beat top-seed and regional host Cal State Monterey Bay for the program's first NCAA Championships victory. Head coach Sheryl Gilmore is in her first season at the helm of the program.

-- WWU Softball –