TUCSON, Ariz. – Not a bad start in the Grand Canyon state.

For the fourth time this season, the Cougars scored at least 10 runs in their 14-6 win against Concordia St. Paul on Thursday evening.

The contest was the first of three games at the Tucson Invitational for the Cougars. On Friday they will play Malone (Ohio) at 1:30 p.m. (PDT).

In Thursday's eight-run win Azusa Pacific (11-1) put at least one run on the scoreboard in seven of the nine innings. They took they lead from the start and never relented. The Cougars took a 7-0 lead before the visitors from Minnesota scored their first run.

Azusa Pacific took a lead as large as 9-1 before Concordia St. Paul (1-2) pulled within 9-6 after seven innings. They wouldn't pull any closer as their comeback hopes were brushed aside with a four-run eighth inning then an additional run in the final frame for the Cougars.

Pablo O'Connor continued his torrid start to the season with a 3-for-5 effort with a homerun and double. He also scored four times. Sean Aspinall went 3-for-5 at the plate as well with three RBI.

On the mound Michael Fairchild moved to 3-0 with six-inning, five-strikeout performance. He scattered five hits and gave-up three earned runs.