IRVINE, Calif. – The Cougars wrapped up a four-game weekend series against Concordia with a road split, dropping the opener by a final of 7-4 before shutting out the Eagles in game two, 7-0.

Game 1:  Concordia 7, Azusa Pacific

The game was scoreless until the third inning.  With one out, the Cougars put together four consecutive hits, with Dani Burghardt driving in two on a bases loaded single.  Annie Gutierrez hit a groundball that got through the shortstop to bring in another run, which forced Concordia into a pitching change.  When starting pitcher Katie Korstrom hit a ground ball to second on the ensuing at-bat, Burghardt was able to beat the throw home on a fielder's choice on the following at-bat to make it 4-0.  The advantage would prove to be short-lived, however, as Concordia would answer right back with six of their own in the bottom half of the inning, capped off by a two-run homer by Erika Morris.  The Cougars would finally threaten again in the sixth, loading the bases with two outs on a pair of singles and a hit batter.  However, the Eagles were able to induce a soft popup to second base to end the threat.  Concordia would tack on an unearned insurance run in the bottom half of the inning.  Azusa Pacific would bring the tying run to the plate in the seventh, but Concordia would strike out the side to finish off the victory.  The first three batters in the Cougar lineup, Amanda Woods, Brielle Fraijo, and Ally Montesino, each had a pair of hits in the game for the Cougars.

Game 2:  Azusa Pacific 7, Concordia 0

In game two, the Cougars came out firing on all cylinders.  Montesino and Becca Jewett hit back-to-back home runs and Erica Hanson would add a fourth run with an RBI single as the Cougars batted around in the top of the first inning.  Burghardt would tack on another solo home run that bounced off the top of the center field fence on its way over to lead off the third to make it 5-0.  The Cougars would again load the bases in the top of the fourth, with Jewett driving in a pair of runs with a single up the middle to make the score 7-0.  On the mound, Montesino did not give up a hit until the fifth and finished with a three-hit shutout, striking out half a dozen Eagles.

By the Numbers:  Game two marked the fourth shutout the Cougars have thrown this season, and the first solo shutout for Montesino as a collegiate pitcher.  Burghardt now has as many home runs by herself (four) as the Cougars hit as a team in all of 2020.  Game two marked the first time the Cougars hit three home runs in a single game since April 13, 2018, in a 19-4 victory over Holy Names.

Up Next:  The Cougars (9-5, 4-4 PacWest SoCal Pod) return home for four games against Biola in a pair of doubleheaders.  The first pair of games will take place on Wednesday, with first pitch at the Cougar Softball Complex scheduled for 4:00 p.m.