AZUSA, Calif. -- Azusa Pacific and Biola split a doubleheader on Wednesday evening, with the Cougars taking game one by a 3-2 final, and the Eagles bounced back with a 4-2 victory in game two. Becca Jewett had three hits and two RBI in the two games, and Aly Montesino delivered a big two-out, two RBI double to help propel the Cougars to a game one victory. Azusa Pacific is 10-6 on the year, with a 5-5 PacWest Southern California pod record.

GAME ONE: Azusa Pacific 3, Biola 2

Katie Korstrom started in the circle for the Cougars in game one, holding the Eagles scoreless over the first four innings. She picked up her fifth victory of the season (5-1), going five full innings and allowing just one earned run on three hits and one walk. She also struck out four Eagles.

The Cougar offense provided Korstrom with all the run support that she needed in the bottom of the third, bringing all three runs across the plate in that frame. After the first two Azusa Pacific batters were retired in order, Amanda Woods was able to draw a two-out walk. Brielle Fraijo then stepped to the plate, and she reached by way of an infield single to second base. With two on and two out, Montesino smoked a ball into right center field, which found a gap that allowed both Woods and Fraijo to score on the RBI double. Azusa Pacific added another run in its next at-bat, when Jewett came through with an RBI single to make it 3-0.

Biola would bring across a pair of runs in the fifth inning, but left the tying-run stranded on second base.

Liz Phillips came on in relief of Korstrom in the top of the sixth inning, and she would ultimately pick up her first save of the season by holding Biola scoreless over the final two innings. 

GAME TWO: Biola 4, Azusa Pacific 2

While the Cougars were eyeing a sweep of the doubleheader, the Eagles took a 4-0 lead and held off a late threat by Azusa Pacific to salvage a split. Montesino pitched all seven innings in the circle for the Cougars, allowing just two earned runs and striking out seven batters in the losing effort.

The first runs of the nightcap came in the top of the second, when Abie Nowak hit an RBI single that plated one, and then a second Eagle came across to score by way of a throwing error on the play. 

Biola would add another pair of runs in the fifth inning to make it 4-0.

The Cougars were able to get one back in the bottom half of the fifth, when Kinsey Erickson had an infield single that scored Maddi Hamilton. Hamilton entered the game as a pinch runner, taking over on the base paths for Annie Gutierrez, who hit a double in the at-bat previous to Erickson. 

After Montesino was able to sit the Eagles down in order in the top of the sixth, Azusa Pacific drew closer with a run in the bottom of the sixth. Woods led-off the inning with a double to left center, and then Fraijo reached base safely with a bunt single that advanced Woods to third. In the Cougars' ensuing at-bat, Fraijo stole second to put runners at second and third for the Cougars with no outs. Following a strikeout, Jewett stepped to the plate with one out and Woods and Fraijo still holding in scoring position. Jewett delivered her second RBI of the game, hitting a single up the middle that scored Woods. Biola pitcher Paige Austin escaped the inning by forcing an inning-ending double play to hold the tally at 4-2 entering the seventh.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Cougars were able to get the winning run to first base, but Austin closed the door by striking out her 10th opponent of the night for the third and final out.

Up Next: These two teams will be right back at it in Azusa on Friday, when the Eagles and Cougars battle in another doubleheader set to begin at 4:00 pm.