AZUSA, Calif. - Azusa Pacific closed out its four-game series with Hawai'i Hilo, and the Cougars claimed a 3-1 series win by splitting the Tuesday evening doubleheader with the Vulcans.

GAME ONE: Azusa Pacific 2, Hawai'i Hilo 0

The Cougars captured the win in game one behind another stellar performance in the circle by Katie Korstrom, who threw a complete-game shutout. Over seven innings of work, Korstrom struck out eight batters she faced. While the Vulcans had 12 baserunners in the contest, Korstrom was able to consistently leave them stranded and keep them from scoring. 

The Cougars took the lead in the bottom of the third inning, when Dani Burghardt hit a sacrifice fly to score Ally Chin, who had reached base by way of her second single of the contest. The score remained locked at 1-0 until the bottom of the sixth, when the Cougars would add another run. With one out, Caitlin DeCanio hit a double to center field to get herself into scoring position. A few batters later and two away, Sommer Quinones delivered an RBI double to bring DeCanio home for an insurance run.

The Vulcans threatened in the top of the seventh inning, as back-to-back singles put runners on second and third with no outs. Korstrom would come up clutch for the Cougars, as she sat the next three hitters down in order to secure the win. Korstrom's complete game improved her record to 8-2 overall.

Four Cougars had two hits in game one, as Olivia Smith, Chin, DeCanio and Quinones all went 2-for-3 at the plate. Both of Quinones' hits were doubles.

GAME TWO: Hawai'i Hilo 4, Azusa Pacific 2

The Cougars took the early lead in the bottom of the first inning. With one out, Chin singled down the left field line, and Aly Montesino followed up with a single that allowed Chin to get around to third. Burghardt would score Chin on a ground out to second base, putting Azusa Pacific up 1-0.

With the score still 1-0 in the top of the fourth, the Vulcans were able to generate some two-out offense via the long ball. After Hawai'i Hilo's Alana Alvarez drew a walk with two outs, Nikki Zielinski stepped to the plate and hit a go-ahead two-run homerun to put the Vulcans in front 2-1. 

While the Cougars would tie the game 2-2 in the bottom of the fifth inning off of a Montesino RBI single with two outs, Hawai'i Hilo would take the lead right back in the top of the sixth inning by scoring two runs.

Montesino led the way for the Cougars in game two, as she went a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate. Amanda Woods also turned in a two-hit performance, going 2-for-3.

In the circle, Liz Phillips started the game for the Cougars, striking out five batters while throwing five and a third innings. Sydnie Sahhar came on in relief in the top of the sixth to throw an inning and two thirds of scoreless work.

Up Next: This Friday, March 25, the Cougars will start a four-game home series against Hawai'i Pacific. The two teams will play a doubleheader starting at 4:00 pm on Friday, followed by a noon doubleheader on Saturday (March 26). This weekend is Homecoming at Azusa Pacific, and there will be a tailgate party from 1-2:30 pm on Saturday out at the Cougar Softball Complex. Registration is required for this free event, and more information on Homecoming weekend can be found on apu.edu/homecoming.