IRVINE, Calif. – The Western Washington University softball team was crowded CUI Kickoff Classic champions completing the three-day tournament with a perfect 4-0 record following a 3-2 victory in 12 innings over tournament host and No. 14 nationally-ranked Concordia University Irvine on Sunday at Great Park.

Despite not playing on a dirt infield since November with the Northwest rain, snow and cold the last two months, the Vikings recorded wins over four California schools to get off to the best start in program history since a 12-game winning streak to open the 2011 campaign.

WWU notched wins over San Francisco State (6-5), Stanislaus State (9-1), Cal State Monterey Bay (7-3 and No. 14 CUI (3-2). No. 21 Colorado Christian also finished 4-0 and matched Western with a +14 margin of victory, but the Vikings 25 total runs scored (CCU had 23) gave WWU the official tourney title.

"I'm so proud of the way this team competed together. Whether we were up or down, they stayed together, they stayed in the moment, and they continued to play the game to figure things out," said WWU head coach Sheryl Gilmore. "This group played to win the pitch in front of them and focused on what they could control and that's why they found success."

CUI Kickoff Classic Links:

• Tournament Standings
• Schedule & Results
• Participating Teams

Playing one of its longest games in program history, the Vikings recorded their first win over perennial West Region power CUI in five tries. Last year WWU and CUI battled in a 10-inning contest won by the Golden Eagles 1-0.

This year the Vikings went toe-to-toe against the Golden Eagles leaving Irvine with the one-run victory.

Both teams were held scoreless through the first 10 innings, with junior Joie Baker authoring a masterpiece scattering five hits in 9.0 innings. Baker matched up against reigning West Region Pitcher of the Year Katlin Entrup and CUI reliever Cortney Koelmans.

With freshman pitcher Alli Kimball taking over in the 10th and the international tie breaker in effect placing a runner on second base to start the inning, the Vikings finally broke through in the top of the 11th. Junior transfer catcher Emma Andrewjeski lifted a deep fly ball to left field for a sacrifice fly to put the Vikings up 1-0.

Down to their last strike, the Golden Eagles tied the game in the bottom of the 11th inning on a two-out single by catcher Shelby Pfeiler. 

The Vikings plated a pair of runs in the top of the 12th inning on a pair of two-out extra-base hits by freshman Laila Carpenter(3B) and senior Taylor Khorrami (2B). CUI scored a run in the bottom of the 12th inning to pull to within one run, but Kimball stranded the potential tying run at third base to earn the win and improve to 3-0 on the season.

Carpenter (2-for-5, R, RBI, 3B), Hailey Rath (2-for-5) and Ashley Jacobson (2-for-5) all tabbed multi-hit games for the Vikings. Baker struck out five in 9.0 scoreless inning to record the no-decision.

"Joie and Alli complimented each other well this weekend and competed with poise in the circle. Alli definitely didn't throw like a freshman - we put her in with the game on the line, against one of the best teams in the country, and she didn't blink," added Gilmore. "Our defense is exciting to watch, our runners did a great job taking extra bases, and we hit really well in situations this weekend. We still have plenty of room to grow and we are excited to keep getting better. This is a gritty group and I'm excited for the journey ahead of us."

Western Washington 3, Concordia Irvine 2 (Feb 04, 2024 at Irvine, CA)

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Western Washington.. 000 000 000 012  -  3  9  2      (4-0)

#14 CUI............. 000 000 000 011  -  2  8  0      (3-2)

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Western Washington - Baker; Kimball (10) and Andrewjeski

Concordia Irvine - Entrup; Koelmans (6) and Pfeiler

Win-Kimball  (3-0)  Loss-Koelmans (1-1)  T-3:27   A-217

The Vikings continue their California road trip to open the 2024 season Tuesday with a doubleheader scheduled against Biola on Tuesday (Feb. 6) with a noon start at Freedom Field in La Mirada, California. The complete 2024 WWU Softball schedule can be viewed online at WWUVikings.com.

Here is a look at the Vikings record breakdown for the 2024 season: