HILO, Hawaii – Despite trailing early Hawaii Hilo rallied in the middle innings as they salvaged the final game of the four-game series with a 7-5 victory.

The Cougars began the game in strong fashion. Despite not scoring in the first inning, the Cougars offense set a good tone with two hits in the initial frame. In the second inning Azusa Pacific cashed in on a bases loaded, one-out situation. Cam Bennett hit a double to left field which scored Zach Taylor, Luke Huerta and Steven Garrett.

Hawaii Hilo didn't go quietly as they got an RBI single from Edison Sakata then Nate Green scored on a wild pitch to trim the Cougars lead to 3-2 after two innings. Azusa Pacific got a run back in the third inning when Garrett's sacrifice fly scored Pablo O'Connor – who start the inning with a double. A pair of Vulcan runs kept the early scoring going as Green hit a sacrifice fly then Sean Nearhoof hit an RBI single to tie the game at 4-4.

The home team took the lead for good when Edison Sakata scored an unearned run on a groundout to take a 5-4 lead in the fourth inning. At their next opportunity, the Vulcans scored again when Green scored another run on a Sakata sacrifice fly.

Azusa Pacific put together a threat in the sixth inning as they banged out three hits. The only run scoring base knock came when Michael Staudinger singled home Adrian Tovalin. Hawaii Hilo scored an insurance run when Nearhoof crossed the plate in the seventh inning.

In their final two at-bats the Cougars (7-10, 3-1) got a hit in each inning but only got one runner into scoring position.

David Moody earned the win for the Vulcans (3-7, 2-6 PacWest) by pitching the final 6.2 innings. He scattered six hits and struck out four.

Azusa Pacific bullpen saw six reliever take to the bump. They combined to give up just five hits in six innings and allowed one earned run while striking out four.