AZUSA, Calif. – Playing at home for the first time this season, the Azusa Pacific softball team split their doubleheader against Saint Martin's University Friday night at the Cougar Softball Complex, winning the opener 2-1 in eight innings before falling 8-0 in the nightcap.

Game 1: Azusa Pacific 2, Saint Martin's 1 (8 innings)

Coming off an 11-day layoff, the Cougars relied on a strong pitching outing from veteran left-hander Kat Ung.  The senior dealt with runners on the basepaths all game long, but did a masterful job of preventing the Saints from breaking through, scattering ten hits and a pair of walks while striking out five in a complete game effort.  Catcher Jenna Gorman did her job defensively, throwing out three would-be base stealers over the course of the doubleheader, including two in game one.

Emily Moran opened the scoring with two out in the bottom of the third by depositing an 0-1 pitch over the left-center field wall for her first home run of the season.  The lead would prove short-lived as Saint Martin's would answer back with a solo home run by Kylie Lopez to lead off the fourth.  In the bottom of the eighth inning, Moran would lead off with a single, advance to second on a sacrifice bunt, get to third on another single by Amanda Woods, and finally score the winning run on an infield hit by Becca Jewett.  Moran went 3-4 in the game.

Game 2: Saint Martin's 8, Azusa Pacific 0 (6 innings)

Game two saw the Cougars routinely getting runners on base, but being unable to find that timely hit to bring them around.  In each of the first four innings of the game, Azusa Pacific had two runners on base when the inning ended, and stranded 11 runners in all.  Madison Salgado had a pair of hits and a walk to lead the way offensively, but the
Cougars were done in by going 0-7 with runners in scoring position.

Elizabeth Phillips threw four shutout innings to keep pace, but ran into trouble in the fifth when the Saints' first four batters reached base. Saint Martin's would bat around in the inning, plating six runs, then add a two-run homer in the sixth from Kylie Vanderbout to provide the winning margin.  The Cougars loaded the bases in the bottom half of the inning, but were unable to scratch a run off of Abby Runyon, who earned the shutout victory.

With the split, the Cougars are now 4-3 on the season. Their homestand continues with a doubleheader against defending West Region champion UC San Diego.  First pitch on Monday is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.