AZUSA, Calif.-- The Cougar softball team more than did their part to make homecoming weekend a memorable one as they pulled off a doubleheader sweep of Biola in Cornerstone Cup action, taking the opening game 2-1 before rallying for an 8-4 win in game two Saturday afternoon at the Cougar Softball Complex.

GAME ONE: AZUSA PACIFIC 2, Biola 1

The scoring started in the bottom of the first, when starting pitcher Katie Korstrom doubled in Kinsey Erickson with two out.  While the Cougars missed out on a golden opportunity to add to that advantage in the second, leaving the bases loaded, Korstrom kept getting out of jams herself, stranding eight baserunners on the day. 

Azusa Pacific would double their lead in the bottom of the fourth. Bella Fraser laced a 2-2 offering into the left-center gap for a double with one out, then came around to score when the Eagles' first baseman was unable to catch the throw on a Sierra Sandoval grounder. 

That was enough for Korstrom, who allowed a single run in the sixth, but stranded a pair of runners on base for Biola in each of the final two innings, striking out three in the complete game win.

GAME TWO: AZUSA PACIFIC 8, Biola 4

Biola came out firing in game two as the first four batters of the game all got a hit, scoring three runs in the process and forcing the Cougars to bring in Sydnie Sahhar from the bullpen. The junior calmly retired the next three batters, ending the inning without allowing any more damage. 

The Cougars began chipping away at the deficit immediately, with Korstrom again doubling in a run in the bottom half of the inning.  With two out in the third, Korstrom came up again and ripped a 3-1 fastball down the left field line for a solo home run to pull the Cougars within a single run.

Biola would answer back with an unearned run in the top of the fourth.  But Azusa Pacific would match that courtesy of a Caitlin DeCanio sac fly in the bottom half, pulling back within a run at 4-3.  And when Sahhar was able to escape a bases-loaded jam in the following inning, that's still where things stood in the bottom of the fifth. 

Ally Chin led off the inning with a bunt single.  Two batters later, Korstrom walked to set the stage for Mia Alvarez.  The shortstop golfed a 1-0 pitch over the fence in left for her first collegiate homer, a three-run shot that gave the Cougars a 6-4 lead. Carley Gay would then reach on an error and come around to score on a wild pitch to plate a fourth run in the inning, and Alvarez would drive in one more in the sixth to complete the scoring. 

Alvarez drove in four runs in the game, while Sahhar would allow a single unearned run in seven innings in the circle to get the win in relief.

Up Next:  Azusa Pacific (17-14, 9-9 PacWest) will head north next week for nonconference action at the annual Tournament of Champions hosted by Stanislaus State in Turlock.  The Cougars will play five games against CCAA opposition over three days, starting with a Thursday afternoon game against Cal State Monterey Bay at 4:00 p.m.  To follow along with all the action at the tournament, click HERE.