Azusa, Calif. -- Azusa Pacific swept Dominican in its final regular game of the season, in which they celebrated the work and dedication of four Seniors. Game one lasted 5 innings as the Cougars took a large 8-0 lead and game two went six and a half innings with a final score of 9-4.
Today we celebrate the college careers of four seniors, Illiana Jimenez, Kayla Jimenez, Anneliese Davis and Erinn Jaramillo. Most of them have played four-years under Head Coach Carrie Webber, in their four years, they have accumulated a 122-80 overall record. In 2015 the program hosted the NCAA West Region playoffs, the program's first NCAA playoff appearance. They were part of the 2016 PacWest Championship team, which was the first team to win conference during its NCAA era and first since 2000.
Illiana Jimenez holds the programs all-time stolen base record (136), has started 199 (of 200) games over her four-years and has 72 multi-hit games. Jimenez is ranked in the top ten of the programs highest batting averages (.354) and the third most hits in program history (243).
Kayla Jimenez has started in 185 career games over 4 years, will rank top-10 in career games played, Ranks in the programs top five career doubles (41), Ranks in the programs top ten in career home runs (17), and total bases (279). Jimenez has 173 career hits, 86 runs scored, 7 triples, 124 RBIs, and 47 multi-hit games.
Davis earned Academic All-PacWest last season, earlier this season Davis recorded her first win in the circle since her freshman season. Davis was vital in the Cougars 21-19 win over Dixie State, she held the Trailblazers to two runs in her three innings in the circle. Davis has 29 career hits, 24 runs scored, 6 doubles, 21 RBIs.
Jaramillo has started 86 of the Cougars 95 games in the last two seasons, primarily at third base. During her Azusa Pacific career, she has 62 hits, 24 runs scored, 10 doubles, 9 home runs, and 42 RBIs.
GAME 1: Azusa Pacific 8, Dominican 0
Kat Ung struck out three batters and held the Penguins to one hit. Illiana Jimenez went 3-for-4 at the plate, Cayla Broussard went 2-for-2, Jaramillo went 2-for-3 and led the Cougars offense with 3 RBIs.
The game remained scoreless for two and a half innings before the Cougars scored four runs in the third inning. Senior third baseman Jaramillo put the Cougars on the board with a two-run RBI double that scored Cayla Broussard and Illiana Jimenez. The Cougars scored for the third time in the inning when Jenna Gorman scored off freshman Becca Jewetts single up the middle. Azusa Pacific capped its third inning scoring campaign when Kayla Jimenez stepped up to the plate with bases loaded and hit the first pitch through the right side to score Jaramillo for a 4-0 lead.
The Cougars almost doubled its lead in the fourth when Jenna Gorman hit a two-run double up and the middle and Jaramillo brought in Gorman with a single to left field.
Illiana Jimenez hit a walk-off single to score Hannah McClure and secure the Cougars 8-0 win over Dominican.
GAME 2: Azusa Pacific 9, Dominican 4
Racqual Espinoza earned her seventh win in the circle where she struck out five Penguins. The Cougars had four batters hit 2-for-4 or better, led by Melanie Abzun who what 3-for-4 with 3 RBIs.
Dominican got on the scoreboard early in the first inning to take a 2-0 lead. A short-lived lead as the Cougars came back and scored five runs in the second inning.
Senior Davis singled to shortstop to score Jewett and load the bases. Illiana Jimenez stepped up to the plate and wore a pitch to bring in Amanda Woods from third. Then Illiana Jimenez and Davis scored off Jenna Gormans single up the middle. Before the inning concluded Jaramillo singled up the middle and scored Broussard.
The Penguins cut the Cougars lead to 5-3 with a single up the middle.
Azusa Pacific added two runs in the fifth when Abzun and Illiana Jimenez singled and each brought in one apiece.
The Cougars extended its lead in the sixth with Abzuns third RBI to right center that scored Hannah McClure.
Dominican scored a single run in the seventh to make the final score 9-4.
