AZUSA, Calif. - Azusa Pacific University clinched two more wins at the Cougar Softball Complex in a doubleheader sweep against #19 nationally ranked Adelphi. The Cougars won the first game 5-2, with the help of two home runs from Caitlin DeCanio and Aly Montesino. In the second game, Katie Korstrom held the Panthers to just two hits, collecting seven strikeouts en route to a 2-0 shutout victory.

GAME ONE: Azusa Pacific 5, Adelphi 2

The Cougars got things going in the third inning when a single from Mia Alverez and an error by the Panthers' left fielder allowed Izzy Rivera to score to take a 1-0 lead. In the fourth, Caitlin DeCanio led off with a homerun followed by a double from Bella Fraser. Sommer Quinones laid down a sacrifice bunt to put Fraser on third and a walk from Burrell put runners on the corner. A bunt from Izzy Rivera and another Adelphi error would send Rivera to third and Sakarah Buckner home to give the Cougars a 3-0 led. Kinsey Erikson followed with a single that would allow Rivera to score to extend the lead to 4-0.

In the fifth inning, Aly Montesino would send another ball out of the park to extend the Cougars' lead to 5-0. 

Adelphi was able to pick up two runs in the sixth inning, but both sides went scoreless in the seventh as the Cougars earned the first victory of the night 5-2. Felicia De La Torre threw five innings, giving up no runs while striking out five to earn her first win of the season. Sydnie Sahhar came in on relief, throwing three innings. 

GAME TWO: Azusa Pacific 2, Adelphi 0

Azusa Pacific collected two hits through the first three inning of play before a triple to right field from DeCanio led off the fourth. With DeCanio in scoring position, Katie Korstrom singled through the right side to get the Cougars on the board, taking a 1-0 lead. 

The Cougars tacked on insurance in the sixth when Quinones led off with a single and a double from Sierra Sandoval put runners at second and third for Aleah Delgado who singled to score Quinones and give Azusa Pacific a 2-0 lead. Adelphi went down in order in the seventh inning, giving the Cougars the 2-0 victory, completing the doubleheader sweep of the nationally ranked opponent. Korstrom threw her fourth complete game, giving up only two hits while striking out seven. 

By the numbers: The Cougars offense was led by Caitlin DeCanio going 4-for-6, with a homerun and two runs scored, while Montesino went 2-for-5 with ah omerun in game one. Both DeCanio and Montesino each have four homeruns so far this season, which leads the PacWest. The pitching performances of De La Torre, Sahhar, and Korstrom kept the Panthers to two runs on the day, while combining for 12 strikeouts. Korstrom currently has five complete games on the season, having a .21 ERA with 32 strikeouts. Korstroms 32 strikeouts currently ranks 13th in all of NCAA DII. 

Up next: The Cougars have some time off until Saturday, Mar. 2 when the open conference at Biola, which is also a Cornerstone Cup matchup. The games will be held at Freedom Field in La Mirada, Calif at 12:00 & 2:00 p.m.