CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Azusa Pacific hung with a pair of top-25 opponents every step of the way in Saturday's National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Leadoff Classic, but No. 22 Valdosta State and No. 3 North Georgia both scored late to register 1-0 wins over the Cougars.

Pitchers Racqual Espinoza and Kat Ung were outstanding in defeat, with Espinoza surrendering just one run on four hits to Valdosta State before Ung took a one-hit shutout into the seventh against North Georgia.

Valdosta State scored a single run in the fifth inning to secure the win in Azusa Pacific's first game of the day, and it took North Georgia all the way until the bottom of the seventh to manufacture the game-winner in walkoff fashion on an infield single that scored a runner from second base.

The Cougar offense was limited to five hits on the day, although Cayla Broussard collected two of them and also put down a successful sacrifice bunt. Broussard went 5-for-13 (.385) on the weekend.

After going 1-3 at the tournament, Azusa Pacific is now 1-5 on the season, with four of those defeats coming against top-25 competition.

Game 1 (No. 22 Valdosta State 1, Azusa Pacific 0): Broussard hit infield singles in the first and third innings, but she was the Cougars' only baserunner in the first six innings against Valdosta State pitcher Avery Lamb.

Espinoza matched the first four shutout frames before the Blazers scored in the fifth inning on Jordenne Gaten's two-out single to center. It was one of only four hits allowed by Espinoza, but it was the second hit of the inning for Valdosta State and it produced the only run of the game.

Amanda Woods led off the seventh inning with a single to right field, and she moved into scoring position when Becca Jewett reached on a fielder's choice. However, Lamb finished off the shutout by getting an infield popup for the first out and consecutive strikeouts to end the game.

Lamb finished with eight strikeouts in the complete-game three-hit shutout, while Espinoza gave up just one run on four hits with four walks and a strikeout.

Game 2 (No. 3 North Georgia 1, Azusa Pacific 0): The Cougars recorded hits in each of the first two innings against North Georgia, with Emily Moran picking up a one-out single in the first inning before Megan Tucker notched another one-out single in the second. However, North Georgia pitcher Laken Chambers got out of early trouble in both frames, and she also escaped leadoff errors that put Cougars on base in the third and fifth innings.

Chambers retired 15 of the final 16 batters for Azusa Pacific, although Kat Ung kept pace by retiring 11 straight after a two-out infield single in the third inning. That took the scoreless duel into the bottom of the seventh, where the Nighthawks' leadoff batter grounded out before Ung struck out Alishia Frierson. However, Frierson reached first on a passed ball, and pinch-runner Kelly Kahlert stole second to get into scoring position.

Katie Collins hit an infield single to the right side, where Woods made a diving stop to keep the ball in the infield. However, the ball got away from Woods, and Kahlert broke for home and beat the throw to score the winning run.

Ung finished with eight strikeouts on just two hits and one walk, while Chambers struck out five in a two-hit shutout.

What's Next: Azusa Pacific returns to California for a pair of non-conference doubleheaders this week. The Cougars are scheduled to visit UC San Diego on Wednesday, Feb. 13, before hosting Cal State San Marcos in the 2019 home opener on Saturday, Feb. 16.