HILO, Hawai'i. - Azusa Pacific split the doubleheader against the Vulcans at Francis Wong Stadium on Saturday evening, winning the first game 13-8, before dropping the second game 2-1.

GAME 1: AZUSA PACIFIC 13, Hawaii Hilo 8

The Cougars jumped out to a commanding 12-0 lead through the first five innings as it was too much for the Vulcans to come back from.

The Cougars began the outpouring of runs with Cameron Lee doubling in the first scoring a run and followed by Omar Lopez driving in Lee. In the third, Spencer Rasmussen doubled in a run to take a 3-0 lead. The fourth inning is where the Cougars exploded for six runs which included a pair of RBI singles and a double from Tido Robles to extend the lead to 9-0.

In the fifth, Lee delivered with a 3 run home run to give the Cougars the 12-0 lead.

Isaac Mendez threw six solid innings, only allowing three runs and striking out seven. The Cougars would continue to tack on some late insurance runs in the eighth inning to boost their lead as the Vulcans attempted to come back. Andrew White would come in on relief and stop the Vulcans rally by pitching a solid 2.1 innings to seal the win for the Cougars. 

GAME 2: Azusa Pacific 1 , Hawaii Hilo 2

The Cougars bats went cold in game two as the Azusa Pacific only collected three hits through seven innings of play and stranded four on base.

The Cougars had an opportunity to tie it in their half of the 4th inning when Lopez led off the inning with a double. A groundout by Will Stroud advanced Lopez to third and Casey O'Laughlin then hit a hard line drive to right field, but the Vulcans right fielder made a diving catch to end the threat. 

Hawai'i Hilo tacked on another run to take a 2-0 lead in the 4th, and Azusa Pacific was able to cut the deficit to one after a sacrific fly from Tido Robles in the 6th. 

Jeffrey Castillo was able to reach base via a walk in the top of the 7th, but a double play by the Vulcans ended the game and Azusa Pacific suffered the 2-1 loss and their first in PacWest play. The Cougars pitching overall was dominant, giving up just two runs and striking out three over 6 innings. 

By the Numbers: Offensively, the Cougars finished (18-63) at the plate (.286) including eight extra base hits. Lee led the offensive, going 5-for-8 on the day with five RBI and five runs scored. Six different Cougars turned in multi-hit games with four having a multi-RBI game in the 13-8 victory. 

Up Next: The Cougars split the first two games of the four game series and look to win the series when they face off with Hawaii Hilo o Monday, Mar. 13th. The first game is set for 3:00 p.m. (HT) | 6:00 p.m. (PT) and 6:00 p.m. (HT) | 8:00 p.m. (PT).