HONOLULU, Hawaii - Azusa Pacific baseball swept Hawaii Pacific in a doubleheader at Hans L'Orange Park. The sweep earns the Cougars a split in the four game series against the Sharks. Azusa Pacific finishes the swing through Hawaii 5-3.
Game One – Azusa Pacific 8, Hawaii Pacific 4
Sophomore third baseman Adrian Tovalin knocked his seventh home run of the year to put the Cougars up 1-0 in the top of the first. The lead was short lived, as two hits, an error, and a walk led to one earned and one unearned run for HPU
Azusa Pacific responded with more power, as junior Pablo O'Conner blasted his fifth homerun to tie the game at 2-2 in the top of the second.
The Sharks were able to retake the lead in the bottom of the fourth as a leadoff single from junior Bronson Aiwohi led to a go ahead run, scored on a sac bunt. Azusa Pacific was able to load the bases with one out in the fifth but a double play induced by Hawaii Pacific starter Brandon Van Stone ended the threat.
A second O'Connor homerun for Azusa Pacific tied the game at 3-3 in the top of the sixth.
A Tovalin walk kick started a rally in the eight for the Cougars. Freshman Charlie Henderson singled on a bunt to put two men on and nobody out for Azusa Pacific. O'Connor then singled to right, where a fielding error allowed both runners to score and O'Connor to advance to third, and then scored on a Justin Gomez sacrifice fly. Two more Cougars walked to put runners on first and second. Senior Mitch Dergazarian singled up the middle to score junior Luke Huerta and move senior Cam Bennet to third. A bunt from junior Tanner Negrette scored Bennet and put the Cougars ahead 8-3.
The Sharks responded with with one run in the bottom of the eighth, but couldn't muster anything more off of junior righty Billy Sanford. Sanford relieved senior starter Joe Huthsing who threw seven innings allowing only three earned runs.
The Cougars turned to Dillon Miyashiro to finish out the first leg of the doubleheader.
Huthsing earned the win to improve to 3-1 on the season. Hawaii Pacific starter Brandon Van Stone was charged with his first loss of the season to drop to 3-1.
Game Two – Azusa Pacific 7, Hawaii Pacific 0
Azusa Pacific continued where the left off in game one, notching two runs in the top of the first. The Cougars started the game with four straight hits. Tovalin was credited with two RBIs for his single that brought in leadoff man Huerta, who singled, and senior Michael Staudinger, who doubled.
The Cougars continued to build their lead, as Tovalin continued his hot day, reaching on a single and scoring on a single from junior Steven Garrett, who earned his sixth RBI of the season.
Azusa Pacific built the lead in the top of the fifth. Red-hot Tovalin and O'Connor continued their day, both knocking singles with one out. Steven Garrett upped his RBI count on the day to three with a two-run double down the right field line. Cam Bennet reached on an error, allowing Garrett to score. Dergazarian then singled to bring Bennet in and move the Cougars to a 7-0 advantage.
Michael Fairchild tossed a gem for the Cougars, finishing the seven inning complete game shutout, allowing only three hits while striking out five.
