IRVINE, Calif - Azusa Pacific softball opened the 2023 season with an impressive start, earning two victories over CCAA/GNAC opponents in Western Oregon and Cal State East Bay.
GAME ONE: Azusa Pacific 1, Western Oregon 0
Azusa Pacific captured the season-opening victory behind a dominant performance from starting pitcher, Katie Korstrom. The junior from Abbotsford, Canada not only threw nine scoreless innings while striking out a career-high 13, but also went 2-for-4 at the plate, providing the game-winning hit in the bottom of the ninth inning to earn Azusa Pacific its first win of the season.
The Cougars were able to get seven base runners across the first four innings, but nothing was able to come in favor of Azusa Pacific offensively. In the circle, Korstrom managed to strike out six across the first five.
In the top of the 6th, the Wolves found themselves with a runner on third, but Korstrom caught the last batter looking to end the inning and send the Cougars to the plate. In the bottom of the seventh, a triple by Korstrom allowed Azusa Pacific to get a runner within 60 feet of home plate to win the game, but Western Oregon's pitching managed to slow the Cougars' press and send the game into extra innings.
It wasn't until the bottom of the ninth inning that Azusa Pacific found an opportunity to cross home. Carley Gay drew a walk and stole second to set up Korstrom, who singled up the middle to send Gay home and secure the Cougars first win of the 2023 season.
GAME TWO: Azusa Pacific 5, Cal State East Bay 3
After falling behind 0-1, the third inning sparked a fire for the Cougars, as they were able to get runners in scoring position due to Caitlin DeCanio reaching on a fielders choice and Izzy Rivera getting hit by a pitch. This set up Mia Alvarez to rope a double that scored two and gave Azusa Pacific a 2-1 advantage. Starting pitcher Sydnie Sahhar threw the first five innings for the Cougars, only allowing one earned run and striking out four.
In the sixth inning, Jaelah Burrell started off by doubling down the left-field line and then two wild pitches led Burrell and Gay to score, allowing Azusa Pacific to jump ahead by three runs. The Pioneers got one back in their bottom half of the sixth, but Azusa Pacific responded when Rivera had reached third via a double and wild pitch, then Korstrom put the ball in play to score Rivera and allow the Cougars to take a 5-2 lead. Cal State East Bay took advantage of a passed ball by Azusa Pacific in their bottom half of the sixth, but Liz Phillips, who entered in relief was able to shut down the Pioneers offense and help the Cougars claim their second victory of the day, 5-3.
By the Numbers: Alvarez and Fraser each went 3-for-8 at the dish today, while Katie Korstrom also went 2-for-4 in the Cougar's first game and went the distance, pitching nine innings and striking out a season-high 13. Azusa Pacific had six stolen bases on the day, and seven different Cougars tabbed a hit across both games. Azusa Pacific's pitching staff of Phillips, Korstrom and Sahhar allowed only six hits combined while pitching a total of 16 innings.
Up Next: Azusa Pacific will be back in action tomorrow for day two of the Concordia Kickoff Classic. The Cougar's first game will be against Cal State Monterey Bay at 11:30 a.m. with the second game against Central Washington to follow at 4:00 p.m.
