AZUSA, Calif. - Azusa Pacific swept the series over Academy of Art, winning both games of the doubleheader on Saturday. The Cougars earned a 6-3 victory in game one before defeating the Urban Knights 7-6 in the second game. Katie Korstrom and Sierra Sandoval both went 4-for-7 at the plate while Korstrom also picked up two wins on the mound, improving her record to 9-3.

GAME ONE: AZUSA PACIFIC 6, Academy of Art 3

Academy of Art threatened in their half of the 2nd when the Urban Knights got runners on second and third with no outs. A fly ball to left field results in an Urban Knight runner being thrown out at home plate followed by the Cougars catching the runner trying to advance to second, ending the threat in triple-play fashion. Azusa Pacific then got the scoring started in the bottom of the 2nd inning with some two out magic. With the bases juiced, Carley Gay delivered with a three-RBI double to left field. Gay then advanced to third on a wild pitch, and a bunt single from Kinsey Erickson scored Gay to allow the Cougars to take a 4-0 lead. 

Azusa Pacific was able to get two more runs across when Julia Olivares drew a bases loaded walk, followed by Mia Alvarez scoring on a wild pitch. 

Academy of Art rallied in their half of the fourth when two singles and two hit by pitches allowed the Urban Knights to score one and force a Cougar pitching change. Korstrom went on in relief of Liz Phillips and got a strikeout before a single up the middle by the Urban Knights made the score 6-2. 

Korstrom was able to get another strikeout before a bases loaded walk closed the scoring margin to three. Azusa Pacific was able to get out of the inning via a groundout to end the Academy of Art threat. 

The game remained scoreless in the final three innings as the Cougars were able to walk away with the 6-3 victory and secure the series win over Academy of Art. 

GAME TWO: AZUSA PACIFIC 7, Academy of Art 6

It was the Urban Knights who jumped on the board first as they put up a four spot in the top of the 1st inning. The Cougars responded with two runs of their own in their half of the first when two consecutive singles by Erickson and Bella Fraser set up Izzy Rivera who doubled down the left field line. 

Academy of Art scored two more in the 5th inning to take a 6-2 advantage, but a home run off the bat of Caitlin DeCanio, her first of the season, cut the deficit in half. 

The 6th inning proved key for the Cougars as they put together another two out rally. An Urban Knight error allowed Erickson to score, followed by a hit by pitch to put Rivera on first. It was Korstrom who delivered, collecting her third double of the day to plate two and tie the game at 6 a-piece. 

In the bottom of the 7th, Alvarez nearly walked it off as she ripped a double off the top of the wall. It was then Sandoval who came up clutch for the Cougars, singling to right field to plate Alvarez, giving Azusa Pacific the 7-6 advantage in game two. 

Up Next: Azusa Pacific will be back at the Cougar Softball Complex on Wednesday, Mar. 22nd when they face Cal State San Marcos in a pair of non-conference games. Game one of the doubleheader will begin at 4:00 p.m.