AZUSA, Calif. -- Junior catcher Chris Feicht's 2-out, 3-run home run capped a 7-run first inning that sparked the NAIA's No. 8-ranked Azusa Pacific to a 16-2 non-conference victory over Trinity International (Ill.) Tuesday afternoon. The victory is the Cougars' 20th of the season, and it is the third straight season Azusa Pacific has reached the 20-win mark in 23 games or fewer.

The Cougars sent 10 batters to the plate in the opening frame, cashing all 7 baserunners into runs. Feicht, a first-inning pinch-hitter, made the most of his brief appearance, slamming a 2-2 pitch over the center-field fence for his sixth home run of the year.

Azusa Pacific hit safely every inning, and 13 different players registered hits for the Cougars. Freshman catcher Daniel Shouldice, making his third career start, turned in a 3-for-4 effort that included several career firsts. Shouldice, who entered the contest with 1 hit in 7 at-bats this season, knocked a 2-run double to right in the third inning for his first extra-base hit and RBIs, and he hit his first career home run, a 2-run eighth-inning shot that gave him a game-high 4 RBIs.

Senior righthander Christian Gagné fired 5 innings of 2-hit relief, striking out 5, to pick up the victory. Junior righthander Ian Kelly struck out 3 more Trojans in the final 2 innings, finishing the win for the Cougars.

Junior third baseman Ryan Delgado became the third Cougar to reach double-digits in home runs, knocking a solo shot to right in the fourth inning that gave Azusa Pacific a 10-2 lead.

With the win, Azusa Pacific's record now stands at 20-3 overall, while Trinity International drops to 1-3 on the season. The Cougars return to GSAC action Wednesday afternoon with a 3 p.m. contest at home against California Baptist.