AZUSA, Calif. – Azusa Pacific closed out its non-conference schedule with another doubleheader split at the Cougar Softball Complex, defeating Cal State San Marcos 7-2 in the opening game before dropping the nightcap 4-2 on Wednesday evening

GAME ONE: AZUSA PACIFIC 7, Cal State San Marcos 2

Azusa Pacific opened the scoring in this all-Cougar battle in the bottom of the second inning.  With one out, Caitlin DeCanio reached on an error, and was at second with two out when Sierra Sandoval drove a pitch to the base of the left field wall for an RBI double. 

San Marcos would respond with a pair of runs in the top of the third to take the lead.  However, Azusa Pacific would answer right back in the bottom of the inning.  Izzy Rivera walked with one out, advanced on a passed ball, took third on a groundout, and then came home to score on an infield single by Mia Alvarez.

The game would remain tied at 2-2 until the bottom of the fifth.  The first two Cougar batters both reached on errors.  With two out, DeCanio was hit by a pitch to load the bases.  Bella Fraser then drew a walk to force in the go-ahead run.  Sandoval tacked on another run with a single, and Aleah Delgado provided the finishing touch on the inning with a two-run single of her own, making the score 6-2.  Carley Gay, who scored the first run of that inning, would score again on a wild pitch in the sixth to complete the offensive action for the game. 

Katie Korstrom threw a complete game, scattering five hits and five walks while striking out three for her 15th victory of the season.

GAME TWO:  Cal State San Marcos 4, Azusa Pacific 2

Azusa Pacific got at least one hit in every inning of game two.  The problem lay in stringing them together, as they got exactly one hit in six of the seven.  The third inning was the exception, with Ally Chin and Kinsey Erickson getting consecutive hits to open the inning.  One sacrifice bunt later, Rivera bunted in the middle of the infield, scoring Chin, with Erickson racing around third to score when the third baseman's throw went to second.

San Marcos would get on the board with an RBI double in the fourth.  Another double leading off the fifth was enough to force the Cougars into a pitching change, but reliever Liz Phillips gave up a two-run home run to left field, putting San Marcos ahead for good.  They would add an insurance run on a throwing error in the sixth to ensure the split of the twin bill. 

Gay had two hits and a stolen base for the Cougars in a losing effort, one of three Azusa Pacific players who had a pair of hits in the game.

By the Numbers:  Azusa Pacific ended up going 8-5 against CCAA opposition this season, including 6-3 against the teams currently occupying second through fifth in that conference's standings.  Sandoval had a perfect day at the plate, going 4-4 with two walks during the doubleheader.  All seven runs the Cougars scored in game one were unearned, the result of a passed ball and four San Marcos errors.

Up Next:  Azusa Pacific (22-18) continues this home stand with a crucial four-game series against Dominican, who is currently occupying second place in the PacWest standings.  The series will begin with a doubleheader Friday at 4:00 p.m., and can be livestreamed HERE.