AZUSA, Calif. – Azusa Pacific was seeing red after Tuesday's doubleheader sweep at the hands of Hawai'i Hilo, and the Cougars got their revenge, beating the Vulcans 3-2 and 3-0 to split their four-game series Wednesday evening at the Cougar Softball Complex.  It was almost a mirror image of the previous day's doubleheader, which saw the Vulcans record a shutout in game one and an extra-inning victory in game two.

Game One:  Azusa Pacific 3, Hawai'i Hilo 2 (8 innings)

The Cougars struck early, scoring in the bottom of the first inning as Aly Montesino hit a ball to the wall in right field that bounced in and out of the right fielder's glove, allowing Mia Alvarez to score from second.  The Cougars were unable to add onto that run in regulation, however.  In the circle, Katie Korstrom threw a gem, retiring the first 13 batters she faced before the Vulcans broke up the perfect game and the shutout with a solo home run.  That was all the scoring for regulation.

In the top of the eighth, the Vulcans made the Cougars fear Tuesday's endings were repeating themselves when the visitors scored an unearned run thanks to a two-out error to take a 2-1 lead.  But in the bottom half of the inning, Alexus Corona singled down the right field line. 

Two batters later, down to their final out, Izzy Rivera hit a double to left, bringing up Korstrom.  The senior pitcher channeled the same spirit that saw her hit a walk-off inside the park home run two years ago against Hawai'i Pacific, lining a 1-2 delivery up the middle and into center field, scoring both runners to win the game.  Korstrom threw a complete game with seven strikeouts in the circle, while Corona went 2-2 with a pair of walks.

Game Two: Azusa Pacific 3, Hawai'i Hilo 0

The nightcap remained scoreless until the bottom of the fourth inning.  Aly Montesino, the starting pitcher in game two, helped out her own cause by leading off the inning with a single.  Hailey Burns came in to pinch run for her.  Caitlin DeCanio followed with a single, both runners would advance on a wild pitch, and then Bella Fraser would drive in Burns with a sacrifice fly to get the Cougars on the scoreboard. 

Azusa Pacific would break the game a bit wider open in the sixth.  With two out and a runner on first, Fraser kept the inning alive with a single.  Corona then drove in a run with another hit, and pinch hitter Jaelah Burrell made it three straight two-out singles to drive in Fraser and provide Montesino with another insurance run.  The senior struck out four batters en route to a five-hit shutout, the fifth shutout the Cougar pitching staff has thrown this season.

Up Next:  Azusa Pacific (14-8, 7-3 PacWest) venture back into non-conference play for the next two weeks as they will visit Cal State San Marcos for a doubleheader on Saturday.  First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 noon, and both games can be streamed on the CCAA Network.