Azusa Pacific opened play in the Tournament of Champions on Thursday with a 4-2 victory over Cal State Monterey Bay. Five hits was all the Cougars needed to produce four runs in the game. Caitlin DeCanio provided two RBI as she launched her second home run of the season over the left field fence. Along with DeCanio, Mia Alvarez also had a multi-hit game and Katie Korstrom threw her eighth complete game of the season, earning her 11th win. 

How it Happened: Azusa Pacific got things going in the 2nd inning when Alvarez drew a walk followed by a DeCanio single that put runners on first and third. Sierra Sandoval then hit a SAC fly to left field to give the Cougars a 1-0 advantage. 

In the fourth, Azusa Pacific took a 2-0 advantage over the Otters when Korstrom walked followed by a single from Alvarez. Carley Gay came on to pinch run for Korstrom and a fielder's choice followed by a single from Sandoval scored Gay to double the Cougar's lead. Monterey Bay was able to get a run back in the fourth to close the scoring margin to 2-1. 

DeCanio came through with insurance in the sixth with a two-run home run, giving the Cougars a 4-1 lead. The Otters were able to score again in the bottom of the seventh, but Korstrom got the final batter to foul out to left field and Azusa Pacific secured the 4-1 victory. 

By the Numbers: This is the Cougar's second victory over Monterey Bay this season, as Azusa Pacific won the first matchup 2-0 at the Concordia Kickoff Classic. Alvarez collected her 30th hit on the season, which now leads the team and DeCanio now has 14 RBI on the season. Korstrom also earned her 11th win which currently leads the PacWest. Azusa Pacifc has now won their seventh straight game and are 5-0 in tournament play so far on the year. 

Up Next: The Cougars will continue play in the Tournament of Champions tomorrow when they face San Francisco State at 2:00 p.m. followed by a 7:00 p.m. game against Stanislaus State.