SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- Point Loma Nazarene proved that the GSAC is a one-sheriff town, and its the one with the badge.  The Crusaders used their muscle and authority to beat the GSAC's all-time winningest program Azusa Pacific and snap the Cougars' 8-game winning streak with a 3-1 and 6-1 sweep in San Diego.

The Crusaders, who are eyeing a possible first-ever NAIA championship, knocked around Cougar pitchers Nicole Hendrix and Megan Alkire for 17 hits and 9 runs, while their defense was nearly flawless in keeping Azusa Pacific in check on the basepaths.

In the first game, Point Loma jumped out to a 3-0 lead with a pair of third-inning runs iand another in the fourth.  The Cougars threatened in the top of the seventh, scoring one run before leaving the tying runs on base to end the game.  Kelly Thiederman was 2-for-2 in the game and scored Azusa Pacific's lone run.  Jen Robison snapped out of the offensive doldrums with a 2-for-2 performance.  However, All-GSAC pitcher Leslie Ludlow was sharp for Point Loma, limiting the Cougars to just 1 other hit in the game.

In the nightcap, Azusa Pacific jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning but Point Loma exploded for 4 runs in the third inning, including 3 off Autumn Yanez's second home run of the season.  The Crusaders added 2 more in the fourth to move out of reach of the Azusa Pacific.  The rest was up to pitcher Miranda Vandervoort, who held the Cougars to just 5 hits while striking out 4.

With the sweep Point Loma, which is ranked No. 4 in the NAIA, improves to 39-4 overall and 17-3 in the GSAC, staying a game-ahead of No. 9 Biola in the loss column.  The Cougars fall to 24-16 overall, 8-10 in the GSAC and fall 3 games behind Vanguard in the race for the fourth and final playoff spot.