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Nunes had high hopes for Concordia prior to stoppage
Callie Nunes hugs
Ceres High grad Callie Nunes compiled a 7-2 record with a 1.37 ERA and 76 strikeouts prior to the Concordia University softball team’s 2020 season being canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Already considered one of Concordia University Irvine softball team’s all-time greatest pitchers, Callie Nunes talked about her desire to continue to improve.

“I know it sounds cliché, but what motivates me is getting better every day,” the 2017 Ceres High School grad said. “It’s the little things nobody wants to do. That’s what wins games. I want to be the smartest and most efficient player out there.”

A six-time All-American, Nunes enters her junior season ranked third in program history in career shutouts (22) and fourth in strikeouts (555). She’s tied for first in career saves (8).

Nunes helped lead Concordia to the Super Regional for the first time in program history, a 47-8 overall record and its second straight PacWest Conference title last season.

The Eagles claimed the West Regional championship and climbed to No. 1 in the NFCA West Regional rankings for the first time.

Concordia reeled off 18 straight wins heading into Super Regionals.

“It was truly amazing. Our team bonded on and off the field.”
Callie Nunes

“It was truly amazing,” Nunes said. “Our team bonded on and off the field.”

A finalist for the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division-II National Player and Pitcher of the Year awards, Nunes was recognized by the Division-II Conference Commissioners Association, NFCA and PacWest Conference in 2019.

She was named the D2CCA West Region Pitcher of the Year for the second straight season. She earned first-team, all-region honors as well.

Nunes was selected to the NFCA First-Team All-Region Team for the second consecutive year.

She was also a repeat winner of the PacWest Conference Pitcher of the Year award.

Nunes tied for first in NCAA DII with 33 victories and was fourth in strikeouts (266) while posting a 1.34 ERA. She had four no-hitters.

“Winning games is hard,” Nunes said.

Nunes was named to the 2020 Preseason All-PacWest Softball Team. Concordia was picked to finish first in 2020 PacWest Softball Preseason Poll by the conference’s head coaches. 

“It’s a very exciting time,” she said. “We have an experienced team. There are a lot of advantages to that. I really have high expectations for where we can go. I honestly believe we can win it all this year. It’s a lot of pressure but a reasonable standard.”

Nunes was named PacWest Pitcher of the Week for the third time this season on March 2. 

She had a 7-2 record with a 1.37 ERA and 76 strikeouts through the Eagles’ first 22 games.


Editor’s note: Concordia University administration canceled all athletics for the rest of the 2019-20 academic year on March 13 due to the coronavirus pandemic.