AZUSA, Calif. – Something is better than nothing, and so the NAIA's No. 6-ranked Azusa Pacific will take a Golden State Athletic Conference split with Vanguard, even if it did end on a sour note. The Cougars downed Vanguard, 4-3, in the opening game before the Lions steamrolled to an 11-0 mercy-ruled victory in the second game.
In the opener, Trisha Rico's 2-out double to left-center scored Cassie Sweeney and Jessica Mikesell to highlight a 4-run second inning that put Azusa Pacific up 4-2 at the time. That was all junior pitcher Rachel Alkire needed as she won for the 11th time in 12 decisions this season. She scattered 9 Lion hits and struck out 4 four for her tenth complete game this season.
The Cougars managed only 6 hits off Vanguard starter Jennifer Rynda, but 4 of them came in that fateful fourth inning. Following Rico's double, freshmen Justine Barnett and Courtney Cleaves followed with RBI singles to tally 2 more runs.
In the second game, Vanguard did not waste any of its hits, parlaying 11 safeties into 11 runs. The Lions also did not waste any time. Vanguard rolled out to a 5-0 lead after 2 innings and was up 6-0 heading into the fifth inning when it scored 5 more runs to end the game when the Cougars could not answer in its half of the fifth.
Lion second baseman Ashley Mauro led the way with a 2-run home run in the second inning and a 2-run double in the fifth to finish the game 2-for-3 with 4 RBIs. Six of the Lions' 11 hits went for extra bases, including 4 doubles, a triple and Mauro's home run.
Meanwhile, Azusa Pacific did not mount a threat against Vanguard pitcher Jennifer Olivera, who allowed just 1 hit, a second-inning single to catcher Shawna Paxton. The Cougars waved at most of Olivera's offerings, striking out 7 times in 18 trips to the plate.
With the split, Azusa Pacific moves to 23-9 overall, 6-4 in the GSAC. Vanguard, which is now 20-14 overall, retains first place in the GSAC at 6-4.
