IRVINE, Calif. - Azusa Pacific split its doubleheader with #16 nationally ranked Concordia on Saturday afternoon, losing the first game 5-4 in extra innings, then going on to win the second game 5-1.
In the second game, Sydnie Sahhar went the distance in the circle, only giving up one earned run over seven innings pitched and struck out five. Offensively, the Cougars hit four home runs over both games, two coming from Mia Alvarez and one each from Caitlin DeCanio and Jaelah Burrell.
Game One: Azusa Pacific 4, Concordia 5 (8 Innings)
Azusa Pacific got out to a strong start when Alvarez drove the first pitch of the game up the middle for a base hit. DeCanio then singled to put runners at first and second and a ground out from Aly Montesino moved Alvarez and DeCanio to second and third for Katie Korstrom who doubled to right center to plate two, giving the Cougars a 2-0 advantage.
A home run from Alvarez in the third and one from DeCanio in the fourth extended Azusa Pacific's lead to 4-0. Concordia got two back in the third, followed by two more runs in the 5th to tie it at 4-4.
Both pitchers held off opposing offenses for the remainder of regulation, but on the first pitch of the bottom of the eighth inning, the Golden Eagles hit a walk-off home run to center field as the Cougars fell in game one 5-4.
Game Two: Azusa Pacific 5, Concordia 1
The Cougar offense stayed hot, taking a 1-0 lead off a solo home run from Jaelah Burrell in the second inning. Azusa Pacific kept the offensive momentum going when Alvarez singled once again then proceeded to steal second. DeCanio hit a single up the middle and on Concordia's throw home attempting to catch Alvarez, Alvarez tried to go back to third but the Golden Eagles catcher sent the throw into left field allowing both runners to score to give Azusa Pacific a 3-0 lead. Korstrom then doubled and Bella Fraser singled to bring her home as the Cougars went up 4-0.
Concordia got one back in their half of the fourth, but Azusa Pacific added more insurance in the seventh when Alvarez hit her second long ball of the day over the center field fence. The Golden Eagles got the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh, but Sahhar worked her way out of the jam and completed her seven inning gem, earning her fourth win of the season in Azusa Pacific's 5-1 victory.
By the Numbers: Azusa Pacific out-hit Concordia in both games as the Cougars collected 10 hits in each game while the Golden Eagles only had nine in the first and six in the second. The Cougars also turned in a clean performance defensively, committing no errors across 15 innings played while putting pressure on Concordia who committed four errors in those 15 innings. As a team, Azusa Pacific still leads the conference in all categories, with a .282 batting average, 1.61 ERA and .976 fielding percentage. DeCanio currently leads the conference in home runs with 10, while Alvarez ranks third with eight. In the circle, Korstrom leads with a 1.04 ERA, while Sahhar ranks fifth with a 1.98 ERA. Alvarez and DeCanio both anchored the offense today, with Alvarez going 4-for-7 with two home runs, two RBI and four runs scored. DeCanio was 3-for-8 with one home run, one RBI and three runs scored.
Up Next: The Cougars will close out the regular season at home against Biola on Saturday, April 27th. The games are scheduled for 12:00 & 2:00 p.m. and the senior ceremony will take place after the games.
