HAYWARD, Calif. - Azusa Pacific defeated Academy of Art 5-1 on Thursday and was currently trailing 4-1 to the Urban Knights in the second game before the game was halted due to a drop dead time rule. The Cougars returned Friday morning and came from behind once again to defeat the Urban Knights 6-4.
In game one, Korstrom pitched her seventh complete game this season, allowing one run off three hits and striking out a season-high 10 batters. Felicia De La Torre and Aly Montesino combined the second game with De La Torre earning her third win of the season and Montesino collecting her second save. Alvarez had a home run in both games with a grand slam in the second game, totaling five RBI.
GAME ONE: AZUSA PACIFIC 5, Academy of Art 1
Academy of Art struck first off a bases loaded sacrifice fly to take a 1-0 lead. It was the sixth inning that provided the Cougars all the offensive magic they needed.
Bella Fraser got things started with a single, followed by another single from Caitlin DeCanio and an error from the Urban Knights center fielder that scored Fraser to even things up at 1-1. Sakarah Buckner then pinch ran for DeCanio and was able to advance to third on a passed ball, followed by Izzy Rivera then being hit by a pitch to put runners on the corners.
Rivera then stole second to put runners in scoring position for Aleah Delgado, who delivered with an RBI single up the middle to score Buckner and Rivera also crossed home from another Academy of Art fielding error to give the Cougars a 3-1 lead.
The scoring did not stop there as Mia Alvarez sent a two-run home run over the left field fence, which was her second in as many games to give Azusa Pacific a 5-1 advantage. Ally Chin kept things going with a single, but the offensive momentum came to an end with a groundout after the Cougars put up a five spot in the sixth inning.
5-1 was the final as the Cougars defeated the Urban Knights to start the series.
GAME TWO: AZUSA PACIFIC 6, Academy of Art 4
Academy of Art jumped in front first once again, taking a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Azusa Pacific quickly responded in the third inning when Kinsey Erickson drew a walk and Alvarez laid down a SAC bunt to move her to second. Aly Montesino came through with a single to center field to score Erickson, tying the game at 1-1.
The Urban Knights tacked on one more run in the fourth inning, followed by a two-run home run in the fifth inning to take a 4-1 advantage. The game was halted due to a drop dead time at the field in the bottom of the fifth inning.
The Cougars wasted no time when the game resumed on Friday morning. In the top of the sixth, Rivera got things started with a single up the middle, followed by a walk from Alexus Corona and single from Erickson that loaded the bases for Alvarez. Alvarez delivered once again with a grand slam to left center to give the Cougars a 5-4 lead.
Azusa Pacific pushed another run across via an RBI single from Rivera that scored Sommer Quinones to take a 6-4 lead, which was the final in game two.
Up Next: Azusa Pacific will finish out their four game series at Academy of Art today at Chabot College in Hayward, Cailf.