IRVINE, Calif - Azusa Pacific closed out play in the Concordia Kickoff Classic with two victories in their final day of play. The Cougars started off the day with a 2-0 victory over Cal State Monterey Bay and wrapped up the day with a dominant 19-0 win over Central Washington. Katie Korstrom went 3-for-6 on the day with a homerun, a double and five RBI while also throwing a complete game shutout and striking out eight against Cal State Monterey Bay. The team combined for 21 runs and the Cougar pitching staff held opponents scoreless over both games. With the 4-0 record on the weekend, the Cougars were also honored as the 2023 Concordia Kickoff Classic Champions. 

GAME ONE: Azusa Pacific 2, Cal State Monterey Bay 0

Korstrom got the start in the circle and was back to her normal ways, striking out two in the first inning. There was not much action through the first five as the game remained in a deadlock till the bottom of the 6th inning. 

It was Korstrom once again who got the momentum going for the Cougars as she singled into right field in the 6th. Hannah Tipton came on to pinch run for Korstrom and a ground ball to the pitcher by Mia Alvarez resulted in an error that sent Tipton sliding safely into home to allow the Cougars to take a 1-0 lead over the Otters. With Alvarez on third, Aleah Delgado provided the Cougars with insurance as she sent a sacrifice fly into center, allowing Alvarez to tag and take a 2-0 lead. 

That was all Azusa Pacific needed for Korstrom to come in and shutdown the Otter offense in the top of the 7th and provide the Cougars with their first win of the day.

GAME TWO: Azusa Pacific 19, Central Washington 0

Azusa Pacific carried its momentum into their fourth and final game of the tournament with its offense putting up an explosive 19 runs backed by 20 hits. 

The Cougars were able to put up a 10 spot in the first behind two doubles, three singles, three walks, and two stolen bases. The scoring for Azusa Pacific did not stop there as three consecutive singles from Bella Fraser, Caitlin DeCanio and Izzy Rivera in the third set up Korstrom, who launched one over the wall to give the Cougars a 13-0 advantage. In the 4th and 5th inning, the Azusa Pacific offense was able to put up five more runs and jump out to a dominant 19-0 lead, which lead to a victorious five-inning game via the mercy rule. 

It was senior Liz Phillips who had an impressive outing in the circle, throwing four innings and only allowing two hits. Sydnie Sahhar came in on relief in the bottom of the fifth, throwing a perfect scoreless inning and the two were able to combine for a shutout to close out the game and opening weekend in winning fashion. 

By the Numbers: 11 different Cougars had a hit on the day with Azusa Pacific posting 21 runs with 17 RBI over the course of both games. On the weekend, Alvarez went 7-for-15 at the plate and Fraser went 6-for-14. Korstrom went 5-for-14 with seven RBI and Jaelah Burrell also had an impressive showing at the dish, going 5-for-7 with three RBI. The Azusa Pacific pitching staff threw three shutouts and only allowed three runs compared to the Cougars offensive attack in posting 27 runs on the weekend. The 19-0 victory was also the most runs that the Cougars have put up since 2018 against Dixie State. 

Up Next: Azusa Pacific will have their home opener on Monday, February 6th against Northwest Nazarene. First pitch of the double header will begin at 4:00 p.m.