AZUSA, Calif. – Azusa Pacific got its 12-game homestand off to an excellent start with a pair of victories over Hawai'i Hilo, winning the two games by identical 3-2 scores.  In each game, the key to victory was a relief pitching appearance; Katie Korstrom in the opener, and Liz Phillips in the nightcap.

Game 1:  Azusa Pacific 3, Hawai'i Hilo 2 (10 innings)

The Cougars struck for an early run in the first inning.  Olivia Smith lead off the game with a bunt single and came around to score on another single by starting pitcher Aly Montesino.  The Vulcans struck for a pair of runs in the top of the third to claim the lead, but the Cougars would respond in the bottom of the fourth.  Azusa Pacific strung together four straight hits to bring that second run home, with Caitlin Decanio driving in Dani Burghardt to draw the score level.

The game continued along, tied at 2-2.  In the top of the seventh, Hilo loaded the bases with one out, and into the game came Korstrom.  The sophomore shut the door, striking out a pair of batters to keep the game tied, and continued to stymie the Vulcan lineup as the game continued into extra innings.  In all, Korstrom went 3.2 innings without allowing a hit and striking out eight.  In the bottom of the 10th, the Cougars started with Erica Hanson on second due to international tiebreaker rules.  Smith bunted her over to third to lead off the inning, then Ally Chin drove her in with a squeeze bunt.  Smith had three hits in the game to lead the Cougar offense.

Game 2:  Azusa Pacific 3, Hawai'i Hilo 2

The Cougars again struck early, as the first five batters all reached base.  Smith once again led off with a hit.  Chin followed with a walk.  Montesino then reached on an error, loading the bases.  Burghardt hit into a fielder's choice that brought the first run home, then Amanda Woods drove in a second run with a double.  In the bottom of the third, Montesino sent the first pitch she saw over the fence in right field for her fifth home run of the season, stretching the lead to 3-0.

That would prove enough for starter Sydnie Sahhar, who threw five shutout innings before running into trouble in the sixth.  After three straight batters reached base, the Vulcans had cut the deficit to 3-2 and had the tying run on second base with one out.  In came Phillips from the bullpen, and just like Korstrom had in game one, Phillips struck out consecutive batters to retire the side.  Phillips pitched a 1-2-3 seventh to earn the save and complete the sweep.

By the Numbers:  Between the two relievers, Korstrom and Phillips faced 17 batters and retired 16, striking out 11 and allowing only a single batter to reach via an error.  Phillips' save was the second of her career, the first coming in a win over Biola in 2021.  Smith had three hits in each game, raising her season batting average to .474.  Montesino had an RBI in each game, and has matched her season total from last season already with 19, while exceeding her home run total from 2021 as well.  Burghardt had three doubles across the pair of games, and the Cougars had six extra-base hits in total on the day.