ANAHEIM, Calif. – While the players may have wanted to play a bit longer, the result was what mattered most.
In a briskly played game, the Cougars topped Concordia 1-0 on Wednesday afternoon at Angel Stadium.
The game was a part of the PacWest's doubleheader at the major league ballpark; California Baptist and Point Loma played the nightcap.
Each offense was held in-check with Azusa Pacific recording five base hits and Concordia managing just three base knocks. The Eagles never had a runner reach third base and managed a runner to second base on five occasions. The contest was played in 2:08; the fastest game of the season for Azusa Pacific.
The pitchers were in control from the beginning. Azusa Pacific starter Joe Huthsing tossed three effective innings were he struck out two in his 34-pitch effort before giving way to the bullpen. Isaiah Terrazaas was just as effective the right went 7.1 innings and struck out three.
In the top of the fourth inning, Hayden Jorgenson continued the dominance at the top of the bump. He allowed just one base knock while striking out three in 1.2 innings of work.
Concordia recorded their first hit of the game with two outs in the fifth frame when Luke Hussung knocked a single to right field. In the bottom half of the inning the Cougar one upped the Eagles as Cam Bennett recorded an RBI double to break the deadlock. Justin Gomez, who started the inning with a double, easily scored the game's only run as he scampered home from second base. Those were the only extra base hits in the contest.
After the Cougars took the lead the bullpen continued to hold the Eagles at bay. Dillon Miyashiro worked two innings and despite allowing three base runners worked through the minor issue with relative ease. Mitchell Williams got both batters he face before Billy Sanford came in with one out in the eighth inning. Sanford didn't allow a base runners as he earned his third save of the season.
Miyashiro ended up being the pitcher of record as he improves his record to 3-2.
The teams continue their four-game set with a nine-inning game on Friday at the Cougar Baseball Complex beginning at 5 p.m.
