IRVINE, Calif-  Azusa Pacific opened its season Saturday, facing Colorado Christian and Chico State in the CUI Kickoff Classic. The Cougars were unable to hold off either side, falling 11-2 to the Cougars of Colorado Christian and 3-2 to the Wildcats at OC Great Park.

GAME 1: Colorado Christian 11, Azusa Pacific 2

The Cougars (0-2) found themselves in an early hole as the Cougars of CCU (2-0) struck for four runs in the opening inning. Colorado Christian extended its lead to 5-0 in the fifth before tacking on two more in the frame, going up 7-0.

APU broke through in the bottom half of the fifth Bella Fraser roped an RBI double to left, driving in Sommor Quinones and Alexus Corona to put the Cougars on the board.

However, Colorado Christian answered dominantly, adding four more runs to seal the win.

Game 2: Chico State 3, Azusa Pacific, 2

In their second game of the day, the Cougars faced off against Chico State in what proved to be a fantastic pitcher's duel between Debs and Loertscher.

The two pitchers kept each other's lineups off the board but the Cougars would eventually break the deadlock in the third as Fraser drove in her third RBI off the day with a double down the left field line to score Hannah Tipton. However, in the bottom of the third, the Wildcats were able to capitalize on two unearned runs to take the lead.

Later in the sixth, Caitlin Decanto was able to erase the deficit off a sacrifice fly into right field, but Chico State was gifted another unearned to go up 3-2 heading into the final frame. 

Azusa Pacific applied pressure to Chico State's Swenson, putting runners on first and second with one out, but the Wildcats would escape the jam to win 3-2.

By the Numbers: In game one five different Cougars registered a hit with Quinones collecting two. Fraser led the team with 2 RBI, setting a new career-high. As a staff, the Cougars recorded two strikeouts in the first game, and Mia Castillo delivered a shutout inning of relief in just six pitches. Six different Cougars registered a hit against Chico State with Quinones and Fraser collecting two each. Castillo delivered a perfect inning of relief in just six pitches against the Wildcats.

Up Next: Azusa Pacific will be back in action Saturday, Feb. 1 at the Concordia Kickoff Classic as they face Western Washington and Cal State Monterey Bay at 8:00 AM and 1:00 PM, respectively.