TUCSON, Ariz. - Azusa Pacific opened its weekend of action at the D2 Cactus Classic on Friday with two games, falling to a pair of schools from Colorado.

GAME ONE: Colorado Mesa 1, Azusa Pacific 0

The first game of the day was a pitching duel between Azusa Pacific's Sydnie Sahhar and Mesa's Paige Adair, with neither pitcher allowing a run through the first four innings of play. The lone run of the game was scored by the Mustangs in the bottom of the fifth inning, when an error by the Cougars allowed a runner to score with two outs. While the Mustangs still had two runners on, Sahhar was able to get out of the inning and avoid any more damage. Sahhar pitched six innings, and she did not surrender an earned run and allowed just three hits, while striking out 11 batters. Adair finished with the complete-game shutout, holding the Cougars to two hits.

Offensively, Amanda Woods and Erica Hanson each had a single in the contest, while Dani Burghardt and Aly Montesino each drew a walk. 

GAME TWO: Colorado Christian 2, Azusa Pacific 1

Colorado Christian produced the only offense it would need in the top of the first inning, scoring two runs on three hits and a Cougar error. In the third inning, Azusa Pacific would bring its lone run across the plate. With one away in the bottom of the third, Woods laid down a bunt single, followed by an infield single from Carley Gay that put runners on first and second for Aly Montesino. Montesino would bring Woods home with a hard hit ball to center field. While the Cougars were threatening with just one out and the bases loaded, Colorado Christian was able to get out of the inning without another run scoring. 

Alexis Hamilton earned the win for Colorado Christian, pitching a complete game. For the Cougars, Katie Korstrom pitched one inning, before Liz Phillips came on in relief for six scoreless innings of work, allowing just one hit while retiring six batters via strikeout. 

Offensively, five different Cougars had a hit in game two, and Dani Burghardt stole her first base of the season.

Up Next: The Cougars will be back in action at the D2 Cactus Classic tomorrow, when they close out the weekend with a game against Western New Mexico (10:00 am MT | 9:00 am PT), followed by a matchup with Eastern New Mexico (12:00 pm MT | 11:00 am PT). Live stats will be available for the contest against Western New Mexico, which can be followed here.