LA MIRADA, Calif. -- Azusa Pacific improved to 8-2 overall, and 3-1 in PacWest Southern California pod play after the Cougars swept Biola in a doubleheader on Tuesday. 

GAME ONE: Azusa Pacific 9, Biola 4

The Cougars were able to get on the board early to open the day, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning. Amanda Woods, the leadoff hitter for the Cougars, was hit by a pitch to open the game. A few batters later, she stole second base. With Woods in scoring position and two outs, Becca Jewett came through with an RBI single to make it 1-0. Next up to the plate was Kinsey Erickson, who drove a 0-1 pitch down the right field line for an RBI triple that brought Jewett in to score the second run of the inning.

While the Eagles were able to cut the lead down to 2-1 in the bottom of the second inning off of a one out RBI double, Azusa Pacific exploded for six runs in the top of the third inning to make it 8-1. The Cougars had their first five batters of the inning reach base safely, including RBI singles from Brielle Fraijo and Aly Montesino. Azusa Pacific was also able to score off of back-to-back bases loaded walks, and then Dani Burghardt hit a sac fly to score the Cougars' fifth run of the third. With one out and runners at the corner, it was Annie Gutierrez' turn in the order. On a 1-2 pitch, Gutierrez put the barrel on the ball and drove it out for a three-run homerun to make it 8-1. It was Gutierrez' second home run of the season.

Biola was able to cut the deficit in half with a run in the bottom of the third and two in the fourth, but the Cougars would add one more run in the top of the fifth when Burghardt hit her team-high third home run of the season, which was a solo shot to right field that brought the score to 9-4.

Liz Phillips started in the circle for the Cougars, as she went three innings, surrendering two earned runs. Katie Kortstrom came on in relief of Phillips to pitch the final four innings and earn her fourth win of the year (4-0) after allowing just three hits and two runs (neither earned). Korstrom also struck out four hitters.

Both Woods and Erickson finished game one with two hits, as Woods went 2-for-2 with two runs scored, while Erickson was 2-for-3 with two RBI, a run score and a walk. 

GAME TWO: Azusa Pacific 8, Biola 2

Just as they did in game one, the Cougars brought multiple runs across in the top of the first. Woods opened the game with an infield single, followed by a bunt single from Fraijo to put runners on first and second with no outs. Montesino, who was the starting pitcher for game two, helped out her own cause by ripping a double to right center that scored both Woods and Fraijo to take the 2-0 lead. Montesino later became the third run of the inning when she was able to score on a wild pitch. 

Down 3-0 in the bottom of the first, the Eagles were able to score a run on a fielder's choice to make it 3-1. 

With the score still 3-1 in the top of the fifth, Fraijo was able to reach base via an Eagles error to open the inning. Later that inning with two outs and no one else on, Fraijo was able to get into scoring position with a stolen base. Erickson would pick up the key two-out RBI by hitting a single to left field that brought Fraijo around to score and make it 4-1.

Azusa Pacific would strike again in the sixth inning, scoring three runs with two outs. Woods had an RBI single, and then Jewett stepped into the box a few batters later with the bases loaded. Facing an 0-2 count, Jewett's aggressiveness paid off, as she came through with a two-RBI double to make it 7-1.

Each team added a run in their half of the seventh inning, with Woods picking up her second RBI of the game on a fielder's choice, and then Biola made it 8-2 on a sacrifice fly.

Montesino pitched her second-consecutive complete game, and her third of the season. Over seven innings, she allowed just three hits, two walks, and two runs. 

By the Numbers: Over the two games today, the Cougars went 22-for-64 at the plate, for a batting average of .344. Through 10 games thus far, Azusa Pacific has a team batting average of .342. Nine different Cougars had an RBI in the doubleheader, with four finishing with three RBI (Jewett, Montesino, Erickson, Gutierrez). The Cougars were struck out just three times over the two games.