BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Cougars showed the grit and experience that comes with making a third-consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament, but ultimately fell 1-0 to host Western Washington in the opening game of the West Regional Playoffs.

How It Happened:  The Cougar offense was hard-pressed to get much going, putting just four hits on the scoreboard over the course of the game.  Mia Alvarez led off the game with a walk and was at second with one out, but nothing came of it.  The first hit for Azusa Pacific came in the fourth, when Aly Montesino laced a double down the line in right.  In all, the Cougars would get a single hit in each of the final four innings, but never advanced a runner past second base in the contest.  Sommer Quinones had two of the Cougars' four hits on the day.

Meanwhile in the circle, Sydnie Sahhar got the start and was brilliant in her own right, allowing just one hit over the first six innings of the game, and getting a little help from the defense with a line out double play to end the sixth.  The Vikings had a runner on first with two out in the bottom of the seventh and the game looked destined for extra innings, but a single through the right side brought up their second baseman with runners on first and second.  Sahhar's 2-2 offering was hit into right field, just over the outstretched glove of Bella Fraser to plate the only run of the game and send the top-seeded Vikings into the winner's bracket.  Sahhar ended the game allowing just four hits while both walking and striking out two batters.

Up Next:  Azusa Pacific (30-20) will take the field in Game four of the regional tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. in an elimination game against either five-seed Cal State East Bay.


NCAA WEST REGIONAL GAME 1 - POST GAME INTERVIEW - CARRIE WEBBER, SYDNIE SAHHAR & SOMMER QUINONES