Sweep Leads To Even Record

WEST COVINA, Calif. -- Azusa Pacific used 2 strong pitching performances by Kerry Martin in game one and Gina Gepford in game two to overcome Claremont-Scripps in a nonconference softball doubleheader, 2-1, and 4-3, Friday afternoon in West Covina.

In the first game, the Athenas scored first off Martin, with 2singles and a walk in the first inning to plate the run. However that was all they would get as a Cougars scored a run in the fourth inning and another in the sixth to close out the win.

Kelly Hibma led off the fourth with a walk and then stole second. Natalie Kirkbride then drove Hibma home with a single to left center to tie the game at one run a piece.

In the sixth inning, Jennifer Mahan singled to right, stole second, and came home on another Kirkbride single.

Martin allowed just six hits and the one earned run to earn the victory and improve to 2-2 on the season.

In the second game, the Cougars needed some seventh inning heroics to pull out the win, as they came from behind with two runs in the bottom of the inning to pull off the sweep. Cindy Dykstra led off with a walk before Azusa Pacific put together 3 consecutive singles by Heather Jacobson, Hibma, and Kirkbride. Kirkbride drove in Hibma with the game-winning run.

Gepford earned her second win of the year, allowing 5 hits and 3 earned runs in the complete-game effort.

With the win, the Cougars are now 4-4 overall. Azusa Pacific returns to the diamond tomorrow at noon to host Cal State Dominguez Hills.

Game 1
Claremont-Scripps 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 1 6 0
Azusa Pacific 0 0 0 1 0 1 x - 2 4 0

Kristine Zoch (L) and Chenney Gruber
Kerry Martin (W, 2-2) and Natalie Kirkbride

Game 2
Claremont-Scripps 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 - 3 5 0
Azusa Pacific 0 0 1 0 1 0 2 - 4 9 0
(2 outs when winning run scored)

Beth Houchin (L) and Chenney Gruber
Gina Gepford (W, 2-2) and Natalie Kirkbride

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Players Mentioned

#5 Kelly Hibma: SS; 5' 9"; Senior; R/R

#7 Jennifer Mahan: OF; 5' 1"; Senior; B/L

#16 Cindy Dykstra: 1B; 5' 10"; Senior; R/R

#21 Kerry Martin: P; 5' 4"; Sophomore; R/R

#28 Natalie Kirkbride: C; 5' 6"; Senior; R/R

#33 Heather Jacobson: OF; 5' 6"; Sophomore; R/R

#44 Gina Gepford: P; 5' 8"; Freshman; R/R

Players Mentioned

#5 Kelly Hibma
: 5' 9"; Senior; R/R
: SS

#7 Jennifer Mahan
: 5' 1"; Senior; B/L
: OF

#16 Cindy Dykstra
: 5' 10"; Senior; R/R
: 1B

#21 Kerry Martin
: 5' 4"; Sophomore; R/R
: P

#28 Natalie Kirkbride
: 5' 6"; Senior; R/R
: C

#33 Heather Jacobson
: 5' 6"; Sophomore; R/R
: OF

#44 Gina Gepford
: 5' 8"; Freshman; R/R
: P