AZUSA, Calif. – Azusa Pacific took care of business on Tuesday evening, as the Cougars beat visiting Chaminade by an identical score of 8-0, in both games of a doubleheader. Due to the NCAA's mercy rule, both games were called after four and a half innings.
 
Game 1 - Azusa Pacific 8, Chaminade 0 (5 inn.)
 
Despite going scoreless in the bottom of the first inning, Azusa Pacific utilized a steady offensive attack over the next four innings. The Cougars broke a 0-0 tie in the bottom of the second inning, as freshman Dani Burghardt followed singles by sophomore Amanda Woods and junior Emily Moran, with an RBI single of her own, which brought Woods into score. Junior Daniella Toschi was next up in the inning, and though she hit into a double play, she brought Moran across for the second run of the inning.
 
In the bottom of the third, senior Melanie Abzun came through with an RBI single to drive home senior Cayla Broussard, who had opened the inning with a single.
 
Azusa Pacific would pull away in the bottom of the fourth, as the Cougars scored five runs in the inning, including a two-run homerun from senior Racqual Espinoza. Espinoza's homerun came after the Cougars had already scored three runs in the inning.
 
In addition to her offense, Espinoza shutdown the Silverswords in game one, as she threw all five innings, allowing just two hits while striking out five batters. With her performance, Espinoza's record improved to 5-4 on the season.
 
 Six Cougars had at least one hit in the game, including two hits from Abzun and Burghardt. Burghardt finished 2-for-2 with two runs batted in and a double, while Abzun was 2-for-3 with an RBI. On the base paths, Broussard and junior Jenna Gorman each had a stolen base in the game.
 
Game 2 – Azusa Pacific 8, Chaminade 0 (5 inn.)
 
In the second game of the night, Azusa Pacific's offense wasted no time to get going, as the Cougars scored five in the first inning, and three more in the second. In the bottom of the first, five straight Cougar based reach base safely to open the inning. Broussard opened the game with a walk. With freshman Olivia Smith at the plate in the second spot, Broussard stole second base, and was then moved over to third on a single from Smith. Espinoza hit third in the inning, and had two runners in scoring position as Smith stole second base. Espinoza drove in Broussard and Smith on a single to the left side to take a 2-0 lead with no outs. Following the two RBI single, Abzun drove a 1-2 pitch right up the middle for a single, placing runners at first and second. Sophomore Amanda Woods kept the momentum going in a huge way, as she laced a ball into right field for a single, which scored Espinoza and Abzun on the play.
 
In the bottom of the second, Azusa Pacific added three more runs. For the first run of the inning, Espinoza came through with an RBI double that brought home Smith, who singled to begin the inning. However, the inning was highlighted by Woods, who hit her first homerun of the season, as she sent a 1-0 pitch over the wall in left center for a two-run jack.
 
Three Cougars had multiple hits in the game, led by a 3-for-3 performance from Espinoza, who finished with three RBIs and two runs scored. Woods and Smith each finished with two hits in the game.  
 
Azusa Pacific received a dominating performance from junior Kat Ung in the circle, as she went 4 innings, allowing two hits and striking out three, which earned her the win and improved her record to 3-4. Senior Megan Mejia made a relief appearance in the game, as she closed out the game in the fifth without allowing a run or a hit.
 
Up Next: The Cougars improved to 9-9 overall, and 5-4 in the PacWest. Azusa Pacific and Chaminade will be right back in action tomorrow, as the teams will close out the four game series with another doubleheader starting at 4:00 p.m.