AZUSA, Calif. – In just their fourth season in the PacWest, the Cougars are champions.
By virtue of their doubleheader sweep against Dixie State on Tuesday afternoon, Azusa Pacific clinched the 2017 PacWest title while securing the league's automatic berth into the NCAA West Regional Championships beginning next week.
The win elevates the Cougars record to 40-9 overall marking the fifth 40-win season in school history. The last conference title the program won came during the 2012 season when they claimed the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) championship in their final year with the NAIA.
Post Game Comments from Head Coach Paul Svagdis
Game One – Azusa Pacific 2, Dixie State 0
It was all about the pitchers and two big swings.
Aside from a pair of homeruns from Pablo O'Connor, the game belonged to both starting pitchers. O'Connor hit a solo homerun in the first inning and then again in the third inning for the game's only runs.
Billy Oxford struck out nine in a complete game gem. The righthander allowed just six runners to reach base. He allowed just two runners to touch second base and none reached third base. Oxford's nine-innning complete shutout is the second of the season for the Cougars. Earlier this season, Michael Fairchild turned the trick against Holy Names.
Asidie from O'Connor pair of homeruns, Dixie State starting pitcher Mason Hilty did not allow a runner to reach second base. Hilty threw his four complete game of the season as he struck out six.
Cam Bennett and Michael Staudinger each had a pair of singles in a game that was played in just over two hours.
Game Two – Azusa Pacific 4, Dixie State 1
Another strong pitching effort balanced with timely hitting was the perfect recipe to a great day.
In the third inning the Cougars took a 3-0 lead. A Pablo O'Connor RBI single followed by an Adrian Tovalin two-run base knock gave the home team a comfortable lead.
Dillon Miyashiro had more than enough support after that frame. The righthander upped his record to 7-2 with a complete-game, six-hitter. The junior struck out six and, at one point, set down 11 straight Dixie State hitters.
The visitors scored their lone run in the sixth frame when Bryce Feist hit a solo homerun. Dixie State appeared the have scored in the fifth inning but while attempting to score on a base hit, Tyler Mildenberg ran into Azusa Pacific catcher Justin Gomez without attempting a slide. The umpire deemed him out on the play due to an NCAA rule interpretation on the play.
Michael Staudinger wrapped up the scoring with his ninth homerun of the season, a solo shot, in the sixth stanza.
