AZUSA, Calif. -- Mark Streelman and Derek Wohlers love second chances.

In their first 6 combined at-bats, the duo was 0-for-6. But, when it counted most both Wohlers and Streelman clutched up and delivered the game-tying and game-winning hits in Azusa Pacific's season opening 4-3 win over California Baptist in a non-GSAC affair in Azusa.

Streelman delivered the biggest blow, blasting the first pitch of the bottom of the ninth well over the left field fence for a walk-off home run. However, his heroics would not have been possible had it not been for Wohlers, who an inning earlier delivered a 2-out RBI double to tie the game at 3.

"What a way to start a season," said head coach Paul Svagdis, who won his first season opener in his second season at the helm. "I told the guys afterwards that this is the kind of effort that wins games and people want to see. They played so hard and made great plays today."

The Cougars have won 7 of their past 8 season openers, including 7 straight home openers. They also snapped a mini 3-game skid to the Lancers, who drop to 0-2 on the season.

California Baptist struck first with a pair of runs in the first on a sacrifice fly and a fielder's choice on a squeeze play.

With 2 outs in their first at-bat, the Cougars answered as Glen Hedgpeth, an NAIA All-American second teamer last season, sent a towering 2-run shot over the left-center field fence to tie the game at 2.

CBU's Steve Ferreira, a 2-time All-GSAC honoree, was a thorn in the Cougars' side all day as he finished 3-for-3 and scored the go-ahead run on a passed ball in the fourth to give the Lancers a 3-2 lead.

Azusa Pacific struggled at the plate for most of the game, generating just 4 hits off a pair of Lancer hurlers. Meanwhile, 3 Cougar arms worked to keep the Cougars in the game. Jeremy Hess started for the Cougars and allowed just 2 earned runs in a 5 innings. Brad McKinney worked the next 3 scoreless innings, and Ryan Marcos tossed a scoreless ninth with a pair of strikeouts to pick up the win in relief.

"Our pitching was the key for us," said Svagdis. "In fact, I gave Hess the game ball, because he could've just caved in after giving up the 2 runs in the first, but he settled down and was nearly lights out the rest of the way. Then Brad steps up and Marcos closes the deal."

But the day belonged to Streelman, who connected for just his second career home run and had just 16 hits all of last year, and Wohlers, who had just 6 hits in 23 at-bats a season ago.

"Both of those guys had good at-bats in their previous trips," said Svagdis. "They both hit lasers that were caught, but they battled back and did what they were supposed to do. They stepped up and put us back in the game."