AZUSA, Calif. - Azusa Pacific secured an 8-0, five inning victory over Montana State Billings on Thursday night to secure their first win of the 2024 season. Caitlin DeCanio went 2-for-3 with a homerun and double, while Katie Korstrom threw five scoreless innings, only allowing two hits. 

How it Happened: Ally Chin got things started, leading off the game with a bunt single before Mia Alvarez doubled to the wall to score Chin, giving the Cougars a 1-0 lead. Korstrom then singled, scoring Alvarez, followed by DeCanio who blasted a two-run home run to left center to put Azusa Pacific up 4-0. 

The bottom of the fourth provided more scoring for the Cougars when Kinsey Erickson singled to score Bella Fraser, but an error by the Yellowjackets allowed Hailey Burns to also cross home and Erickson advanced to second. Another bunt single by Chin put runners on the corners and a SAC fly from Alvarez scored Erickson to put Azusa Pacific up 7-0. 

In the fifth, DeCanio led off the inning with a double, followed by a double from Sommer Quinones to put runners on the corners. Aly Montesino came through with a SAC fly to left field to score pinch runner Sakarah Buckner and force the mercy rule as the Cougars won by a final score of 8-0.

By the Numbers: The Cougars collected 11 hits in the game, with four of them being extra base hits. Alvarez and DeCanio each had two RBI in the game, while Chin collected her second stolen base on the year thus far. Korstrom earned her first win of the season, striking out five batters through five innings. 

Up Next: Azusa Pacific will be back at the Cougar Softball Complex this Saturday, February 10th when they host Cal State Dominguez Hills for a doubleheader at 12:00 & 2:00 p.m. If you cannot attend the games, you can watch them HERE.