Katelynn Thun is an NAU School of Communication journalism student assigned to cover softball for AZPreps365.com.

FLAGSTAFF — The Eagles remain atop of the 4A Grand Canyon Region standings after a dominant display of offense against the Bradshaw Mountain Bears at home on Thursday. 

The Eagles started the game by being aggressive on both sides of the ball, scoring seven runs in the third inning alone to take an 11-0 lead into the top of the fourth inning.

Starting pitcher Cailee Culwell did not allow any runs until the top of the fourth inning and ended the game with ten strikeouts. 

After allowing 11 runs in four innings the Bears starting pitcher sophomore Alexa Corey was replaced by junior Bailey Munday. 

Culwell also contributed on the offensive side of the ball for the Eagles with three hits and a home run to end the game for the Eagles in the bottom of the sixth inning. 

“I think just hitting my spots pretty much everything was working so that helps a lot,” Culwell said.

Culwell finished the game with a 2.33 ERA and a .750 batting average in five plate appearances. 

As a team, the Eagles finished the game with a .321 batting average in 40 total appearances at bat.  

Eagles head coach Tomas Hernandez expressed admiration for Culwell’s pitching efforts after the game. 

“Cailee’s pitching is huge. She’s having a great senior season,” Hernandez said. “She’s been working hard on her location and her pitches so it’s great for her to show off her hard work in front of her home crowd.” 

After the win the Eagles improved to 10-1 in conference play and remain at the top for the Grand Canyon Region standings. The Eagles are now 18-5 overall on the season. 

The Bradshaw Mountain Bears fell to 3-4 in region play. The Bears are currently on a five-game losing streak including two consecutive loses to the Eagles. 

Hernandez looks to prepare his team for the next region game against the Prescott Badgers on Tuesday, April 14. He stressed the importance of continuing to stack up wins in regional play. 

“Next week we have Prescott who’s right there with us at the top of the region ,so keeping this winning momentum going into next week is very important,” Hernandez said. 

The Eagles’ next game will be against the ALA Queen Creek Patriots at home on Saturday, April 11.