ROHNERT PARK, Calif. - Azusa Pacific's season came to a close today in the NCAA West Regional #2 final after falling to #6 seed Cal State San Marcos, 7-1. Mia Alvarez, Katie Korstrom, Izzy Rivera and Sydnie Sahhar were all named to the All-West Regional team for their efforts in the tournament. 

How it Happened: Cal State San Marcos jumped ahead early, scoring two runs in their half of the second to take a 2-0 lead. The Cougars responded immediately when Korstrom led off their half of the second reaching on an error followed by a single from Alvarez that advanced Korstrom to third. Caitlin DeCanio then grounded out to shortstop and scored Korstrom to cut their deficit in half at 2-1. 

Cal State San Marcos tacked on another run in the third inning to take a 3-1 lead, then proceeded to add four more runs in the sixth and seventh innings to eventually take a 7-1 lead. DeCanio had another single in the bottom of the seventh, but that was all Azusa Pacific could provide offensively, eventually falling 7-1 to the visiting Cougars in the NCAA West Regional #2 final. 

Azusa Pacific closes out the 2023 season with a 34-26 overall record and reached the NCAA postseason for the third time in the program's NCAA era and for the second consecutive year. With the Cougars advancing to the regional final, it is now the furthest the team has made it in the program's NCAA era since 2016 when the Cougars also advanced to the regional final. With head coach Carrie Webber at the helm of the program for 16 years, this is now her eighth season with 30+ wins. 

Azusa Pacific softball will greatly miss their three seniors graduating (Carley Gay, Liz Phillips, Julia Olivares), but the future looks incredibly bright for the program as Webber returns 15 players to the 2024 squad and will look to build on the continued success that has been created.