TURLOCK, Calif. - The Cougars finished strong, defeating Cal State East Bay 6-1 after falling to Stanislaus State 6-3 earlier in the day. Katie Korstrom earned her 10th win of the season in her 12th complete game. Offensively, Azusa Pacific collected nine runs and 11 hits on the day while Korstrom and Aly Montesino each collected home runs.
GAME ONE: Azusa Pacific 3, Stanislaus State 6
The Warriors jumped ahead first, posting a four spot in the second inning. The Cougars responded, getting two runs back in their bottom half of the inning. DeCanio led off with a walk followed by a SAC bunt from Bella Fraser. Sommer Quinones reached on an error to put runners at first and third, then Jaelah Burrell doubled to score DeCanio and Quinones, cutting the deficit to 4-2.
The Cougars tried to claw their way back, making it a one run game (4-3) in the sixth via a sacrifice fly from Sierra Sandoval to score Hailey Burns, but Stanislaus State tacked on two more to take a 6-3 lead in the seventh. That was the final from Warrior Field in Turlock, Calif. as Azusa Pacific took the loss to open play in the Tournament of Champions.
GAME TWO: Azusa Pacific 6, Cal State East Bay 1
The Cougars were seeking revenge as these two squads faced off against each other on opening weekend with the Pioneers claiming the 6-0 victory.
Azusa Pacific wasted no time as Montesino sent a 3-2 pitch over the fence in right field to give the Cougars a quick 1-0 lead in the first inning. Korstrom provided insurance for herself, collecting a two run home run in the fourth, adding to Azusa Pacific's lead.
More insurance was added in the fifth when Aleah Delgado and Mia Alvarez had back-to-back doubles to take a 4-0 lead, followed by Alvarez scoring on a wild pitch to give Azusa Pacific a 5-0 lead.
Hannah Tipton collected the first RBI of her career in the sixth when a double from DeCanio, hit by pitch from Izzy Rivera and an executed double steal put runners on second and third. The sophomore singled through the right side to extend the lead to 6-0.
Cal State East Bay got one back in the sixth inning to cut their deficit to five (6-1), but the Cougars secured the victory behind plenty of offense and a four strikeout complete game gem from Korstrom.
Up Next: Azusa Pacific will wrap up play at the Tournament of Champions tomorrow when they face Cal Poly Humboldt at 9:30 a.m. and San Francisco State at 11:30 a.m.. Game one will take place at Warrior Field on the campus of Stanislaus State and the following game will take place at Pedretti Field 2.
