HONOLULU, Hawai'i - Azusa Pacific took both games of a Monday doubleheader at Hawai'i Pacific on Monday, as the Cougars outscored the Sharks by a 24-6 margin over the two games. The Cougars improved to 9-7 overall, and 2-0 to start PacWest play.

GAME ONE: Azusa Pacific 11, Hawai'i Pacific 0

Behind a dominant outing by starter Isaac Mendez, the Cougar offense piled on the hits and rolled past the Sharks in their first game on the islands. Mendez pitched seven innings, allowing just two hits, striking out four, and not giving up a walk. He earned the win, and is now 3-1 on the season and has only allowed one earned run over his last three starts (16 innings pitched).

The Cougars put their first runs on the board in the top of the fourth, with an RBI single from Tyus Santa Anna, a fielder's choice RBI by Cade Marshman, and RBI doubles from George Christison and Omar Lopez that made it 4-0. 

In the sixth inning, the Cougars would double their lead to 8-0, as Christison delivered another double, this time for two RBI, and Will Stroud came through with a two RBI double of his own. Azusa Pacific would plate multiple runs again in the seventh. Christison would step to the plate with runners on second and third, and he hit a ball to second base that allowed a run to score for his fourth RBI of the game, and Lopez would follow with an RBI single to make it 10-0.

In the top of the ninth, Casey O'Laughlin added the final run of the series opener for the visitors, as the designated hitter delivered an RBI single to make it 11-0.

Azusa Pacific finished with 17 hits, led by a 4-for-6 effort from Christison (4 RBI, 3 2B, 3 R). Lopez, O'Laughlin, and Santa Anna had three hits apiece, and Cade Marshman had two hits and scored three runs.

Azusa Pacific used three pitchers in the game, as Alfredo Frey pitched a scoreless eighth inning, and Gabriel Kahler was given the ball in the ninth, throwing another scoreless inning for the Cougars. For Kahler, the appearance was the first of his Azusa Pacific career.

GAME TWO: Azusa Pacific 13, Hawai'i Pacific 6 (7 innings)

The Cougar bats stayed hot for game two, driving in 13 runs on 12 hits across seven innings. Azusa Pacific would score a run in five of its seven turns at the plate, including an eight run outburst in the sixth inning that turned a 5-2 lead into a comfortable 13-2 advantage.

Marshman opened the game with a bunt single, and the speedy centerfielder stole second base a few pitches later to work his way into scoring position. Marshman would come around to score on an RBI single for the early 1-0 lead. 

While the Sharks tied the game in the bottom of the first, the Cougars would retake the lead in the top of the third on a two-out RBI single by Tido Robles. Again, Hawai'i Pacific would respond in the bottom half of the inning to tie it 2-2. 

In the top of the fourth, the Cougars would take the lead for good, as an RBI double from Jeffrey Castillo made it 3-2 Cougars, and then in the fifth, Lopez hit an RBI triple to make it 4-2, followed by a SAC fly by Robles in the following at-bat to make it 5-2. 

The first run of the eight-run sixth inning was Brett Soria, as he was called on to pinch run for Carson Collett who opened the frame with a single. Soria stole second, then advanced to third on a ground out, and he was driven home by another RBI single from Castillo. Castillo would come around to score on an RBI single from Cameron Lee that made it 7-2, and the next Cougar batter was Lopez, who singled through the left side to bring in two more runs. 

Later in the sixth, Christison was at the plate with the bases loaded, and he patiently drew a walk to force home another run for the 10-2 lead. The Cougars were able to add three more runs with two outs, as Santa Anna hit a two RBI single, and a Sharks error allowed the 13th run of the game to score. 

Lopez led the Cougars offensively in game two, going 3-for-5 with four RBI, and two runs scored. Marshman and Castillo each added two hits. 

On the mound, Korey Shepard earned his first victory of the season, as he was called on in relief in the third inning and he threw three and a third innings of shutout baseball. Shepard faced 15 batters, striking out three and allowing just four base hits, while not allowing a baserunner to advance past second base.

Up Next: The Cougars and Sharks will close out their four game series with another doubleheader tomorrow, starting at 2:00 pm HT (4:00 pm PT).