SEASIDE, Calif. – The Cougar baseball team found a winning formula in their first road game of 2021, riding a strong pitching effort to a 6-1 win over Cal State Monterey Bay at the Otter Sports Complex Thursday evening. A.J. Woodall tossed seven strong innings while Tido Robles' three-run home run in the eighth broke the game open to secure the win for the Cougars.

How It Happened:  The Cougars struck for a run in the first inning without the benefit of a hit.  The team opened with three straight walks before a ground ball double play brought in Aaron Roose.  The Otters would tie the game with an unearned run via a passed ball in the bottom half of the inning and the game would remain that way into the sixth, when the Otters pulled their starting pitcher.  With two out and two on, Brett Soria came through with a base hit through the left side of the infield, bringing in Omar Lopez to put the Cougars ahead, 2-1.

The Cougar bats would break the game open in the eighth frame.  After Will Stroud was hit by a pitch to open the inning, Lopez tripled him home to add an insurance run.  The next batter, Casey O'Laughlin, worked the count full and drew a walk, putting runners at the corners with nobody out.  Tido Robles stepped up and belted a 1-0 pitch over the left-field fence for a three-run shot to provide the final margin.  That proved more than enough for the Cougars' pitching staff, as Woodall bounced back to his 2021 form with a seven-inning, three-hit outing, striking out seven batters before turning things over to Declan Kearney, who retired the first five batters he faced, including striking out the side in the eighth.

By the Numbers:  This was the first road game the Cougars have played this season.  Azusa Pacific went 11-6 in road games in 2021.  Robles' home run was his third in the last four games, exceeding his total from the abbreviated 2021 campaign already.  It also makes him the first Cougar into double figures in runs batted in this season, with 12.  Woodall and Kearney combined to strike out 12 Otter batters.  This is the third time this season the Cougar pitching staff has struck out 12 batters in a game.  Azusa Pacific drew eight walks in the win.  Soria raised his average to a team-best .387 with a pair of hits, one of three Cougars with two hits in the game.  The Cougars are now 8-10 all-time against Monterey Bay, though Azusa Pacific now enjoys a 6-5 advantage on the road.

Up Next:  The Cougars (3-6) will continue this four-game weekend series with the Otters with a Friday doubleheader.  First pitch for game one at the Otter Sports Complex is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.  Livestats will be available HERE.