IRVINE, Calif. - Azusa Pacific and Concordia opened a four-game series on Friday, and the two teams settled for a split of a doubleheader. 

Game One: Concordia 3, Azusa Pacific 2

The offensive production for both teams were limited to just one inning, with the Golden Eagles scoring three runs in the bottom of the fourth, while the Cougars brought their two runs across in the top of the eighth. 

All Concordia needed was Nathan Benefeito's three-run homer in the fourth, as he followed up a leadoff double and a walk to clear the bases.

With one out in the top of the eighth, Omar Lopez put the Cougars on the board with an RBI double down the left field line that drove in Cade Marshman, who led off the frame with a walk. With two outs in the inning, Tido Robles drove in Lopez with an RBI single, but the Cougars were unable to add more runs.

Aside from the three-run homer, Isaac Mendez had another strong start for the Cougars on the mound, as he threw six innings and struck out nine batters. Alfredo Frey came on in relief to open the seventh inning, and he threw two scoreless innings.

Lopez finished the game 2-for-3, as he had two doubles in the opening game.

Game Two: Azusa Pacific 4, Concordia 2 (7 inn.)

The Cougars bounced back with a much-needed victory in game two. Jeffrey Castillo opened the scoring in the top of the second inning, as he drove in Will Medina (led off inning with a single) on an RBI single to put the Cougars up early 1-0. 

In the top of the third, Spencer Rasmussen led off with a single, and a few batters later with one out, Carson Collett hit a two-run home run to right center to grow the Azusa Pacific lead to 3-0.

While Concordia would bring two across to score in the bottom of the fifth, the Cougars would add an insurance run in the top of the seventh off of a wild pitch, and the visitors never surrendered the lead.

Abraham Carrillo started the game and improved his record to 2-0 this season for the Cougars, throwing four innings and allowing just two earned runs on four hits. Andrew White put up two scoreless innings of relief work in the fifth and sixth innings, and Jake Vargas was handed the ball in the bottom of the seventh, as he earned his fifth save of the season with a scoreless final inning.

Collett finished 2-for-4, while Castillo went 2-for-3, as he drew a walk to go along with his two hits. 

Up Next: The Cougars are 21-15 overall, with a 14-8 conference record. Tomorrow, the two teams will be back in action in Azusa, with a doubleheader set to start at 1:00 pm. Game one will be nine innings, and game two will be seven.