AZUSA, Calif. – In their first game back at home in over two weeks because of rain and a road trip, Azusa Pacific fell into a pair of early deficits and were unable to recover, dropping both halves of a doubleheader against Holy Names, 11-9 and 10-0 Friday afternoon at the Cougar Baseball Complex.

Game One:  Holy Names 11, Azusa Pacific 9

In each of the first two innings, Holy Names slammed a three-run homer to build an early advantage and never look back.  The Cougars got on the board themselves in the bottom half of the first inning, as Omar Lopez drove in a run on a fielder's choice, then came around to score on a two-out hit from Tido Robles.  In the second inning, now down 6-2, the Cougars literally stole a run when Cade Marshman swiped third as part of a double steal attempt, then ran home while the Hawks unsuccessfully tried to tag Cameron Lee.

The Cougars would draw closest in the fourth, when they got consecutive two-out RBI hits from Lee and Jeffrey Castillo to climb within 7-5.  But Holy Names would tack on two more runs in each of the next two innings, and the Cougars would not get back on the board again until the bottom of the ninth, when home runs by Tyus Santa Anna and Spencer Rasmussen drew them within two.  Will Stroud had three hits to lead the way offensively for the Cougars.

Game Two:  Holy Names 10, Azusa Pacific 0 (7 innings)

Holy Names repeated the formula and then some, batting around in each of the first two innings and putting seven runs on the board.  The Cougars did not get a baserunner until the bottom of the fourth, when they were able to load the bases with one out, and also get two on in the fifth, but could not score either time.  Stroud would just miss out on a home run, leading off the seventh with a double off the wall in left center, but the Cougars could not solve Hawks' starting pitcher Eddie Curley, who collected a three-hit shutout.  It was the first time the Cougars have been shut out since a 2-0 defeat at Holy Names on February 23, 2019, a span of 186 games.

Up Next:  Azusa Pacific (14-10, 7-3 PacWest) will conclude its four-game series with Holy Names with another doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 12:00 noon.  Both games can be live streamed on the Azusa Pacific Athletics Network.