AZUSA, Calif. – The Cougar softball team had trouble holding onto the ball in game one, then had a near-magical comeback in game two, but lost both halves of their doubleheader with Hawai'i Hilo Tuesday evening, falling to the Vulcans by scores of 4-0 and 7-5 at the Cougar Softball Complex.

Game One:  Hawai'i Hilo 4, Azusa Pacific 0

Passed balls were the main story of the game, as three separate times the Vulcans' leadoff hitter was able to score an unearned run. Those passed balls, coupled with three fielding errors by the Cougars, were more than enough to give the visitors the victory; as the Cougar offense was limited to just three hits in the contest. 

Azusa Pacific's best chance to score came with two on and one out in the fourth, but a long fly ball to center field was caught, and a fielder's choice ended the threat.  Katie Korstrom struck out nine in a complete game loss, giving up just one earned run over seven innings.

Game Two:  Hawai'i Hilo 7, Azusa Pacific 5 (10 innings)

Game two seemed to be following a similar story, in terms of the Cougar offense struggling to get going offensively. Hawai'i Hilo struck quickly for two runs in the top of the first, then added another run in the fifth. The Vulcans then pushed two more across in the top of the seventh to make the score 5-0. 

However, the Cougars were determined to make the most of their three remaining outs.  Alexus Corona led off the inning with a pinch-hit home run to straight away center.  With one out, Korstrom and Aly Montesino drew back-to-back walks, putting two on for Caitlin DeCanio.  The first baseman slugged a ball over the fence in left center, pulling the Cougars within one and forcing a pitching change.  Three batters later, with two on and two out, Izzy Rivera placed a single into right field to tie the game at 5-5.  It would stay there until the 10th, when the Vulcans pushed two across thanks to a one-out triple and a sac fly.  Sommer Quinones had a three-hit game for the Cougars, while Sydnie Sahhar and Felicia De La Torre combined for 11 strikeouts in the circle.

Up Next:  Azusa Pacific (12-8, 5-3 PacWest) conclude their four-game set with the Vulcans with another doubleheader on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. at the Cougar Softball Complex.