HILO, Hawai'i – Azusa Pacific dropped both games of a PacWest doubleheader at Hawai'i Hilo on Thursday, losing 5-4 in extra innings in game one, and then falling 5-1 in game two.
 
Game One: Hawai'i Hilo 5, Azusa Pacific 4 (8 innings)
 
The Cougars entered the bottom of the seventh in a position to open the trip with a victory, as they led the Vulcans 4-2. However, Hilo battled back to tie the game with two outs. The Vulcans had the bases loaded with two outs when Brinell Kaleikini came to the plate and delivered. Kaleikini was down to her final strike when she hit a single to right field that brought in two-runs to tie the game at 4-4. The Vulcans would win the game in the bottom of the eighth, as Kiarra Lincoln hit a sacrifice fly that brought home the game-winning run.
 
Offensively, Azusa Pacific was able to collect eight hits in the game, highlighted by a two-run homerum from Daniella Toschi in the second inning that gave the Cougars a 2-0 lead early. The Cougars also scored a run in the top of the fourth by way of a sacrifice bunt from Michaela Fonoti, and then again in the fifth inning when Becca Jewett hit a sacrifice fly to bring the fourth run of the day across the plate. Amanda Woods and Jenna Gorman each had two hits in the game, with Woods finishing 2-for-4 with a double, while Gorman went 2-for-3 as she drew a walk as well.
 
Kat Ung took the loss for the Cougars, but was able to throw six and two-thirds innings, allowing three earned runs and striking out five hitters. Grace Brown also made an appearance in the game, as threw an inning.
 
Game Two: Hawai'i Hilo 5, Azusa Pacific 1
 
In the second game of the day, the Vulcans scored five runs over the first five innings, while Hilo pitcher Leah Gonzales held the Cougars scoreless until the top of the seventh.
 
In the top of the seventh, Emily Moran led the inning off with a double. She was nearly left stranded in the inning, but Jewett was able to come through with a single to center field that brought Moran in to cut the deficit down to 5-1. The Cougars were able to bring the tying run to the plate in the inning with two outs, as Dani Burghardt and Gorman hit consecutive singles, but the bases were left loaded in the inning.
 
Gorman finished 3-for-4 in the game, closing out a day in which she finished 5-for-7 over the two games. Azusa Pacific had 11 hits in the game, but finished the game with a total of 12 runners left on base.
 
Elizabeth Phillips took the loss after she pitched all six innings for the Cougars.
 
Up Next: Azusa Pacific is 4-9 overall, and 0-4 in PacWest play. The Cougars and Vulcans will be right back in action on Friday, as they will play another doubleheader starting at noon (HST).