IRVINE, Calif - Azusa Pacific closed out its second and final day at the CUI Kickoff Classic with a win over #2 Western Washington, following Caitlin Decanaio's two home runs, and a dominant performance over Cal State Monterey Bay.

GAME 1: Western Washington 3, Azusa Pacific 3

Azusa quickly would get on the board in the bottom of the first as Caitlin Decaino was able to poke a single down the left field side to score Bella Fraser. Though the Vikings were able to even the score off a wild pitch in the third, Decanio quickly shifted momentum back in favor of the Cougars with a first-pitch solo homer over the left-center fence. Jula Doan kept the foot on the gas for APU as she drove in Hailey Burns on a single to build the lead to 3-1.

Later in the fifth, DeCanio gave Mia Castillo added insurance with another solo blast, this time to the opposite side of the field. The sophomore, who pitched two innings of scoreless relief in the season's first two games, held the Vikings to just one hit entering the final frame. 

Despite a late homer by Western Washington to cut APU's lead to one run, Castillo was able to pick up a complete game and a massive ranked win for the Cougars.

GAME 2: Cal State Monterey Bay 4, Azusa Pacific 12

In their second game of the day, the Cougars put on a hitting clinic as they rout the Otters of Monterey Bay 12-4 after a late surge in the final frame.

Azusa Pacific made a run in each of the first three frames courtesy of Sierra Sandoval, Sakarah Buckner, and Caitlin Decanio. The Otters answered back, plating four runs across the next four innings to put APU down by a run heading into the seventh. Rianna De La Barcena started the rally with a single down the left field line, then quickly advanced to second off a sacrifice bunt from Fraser. Sommer Quinones rose to the occasion, tying the game with an RBI triple, then scoring as well thanks to a single up the middle by DeCanio, quickly flipping the advantage back to the Cougars.

Julia Doan would add another run off of a fielder's choice soon after, and the floodgates would open on the Otters as APU poured on six more runs from Hannah Tipton, Buckner, Jenna Fullmer, De La Barcena, Quinones, and DeCanio.

With a comfortable eight-run cushion, Analise Reyes sent the Cougars back to Azusa undefeated on the day after two innings of shutout relief.

By the Numbers: Castillo allowed only two hits in her complete game against #2 Western Washington, and Quinones led the squad with three hits and three RBIs against the Vikings. As a team, the Cougars batted .360 against Western Washington and Fraser (2), DeCanio (3), and Corona (2) all had multi-hit games. Reyes allowed only one hit in two innings out of the bullpen against CSU Monterey Bay, and Sandoval and Buckner led the squad with six hits and three RBIs combined. As a team, the Cougars batted .400 against the Otters with seven different Cougars registering an RBI. Quinones (2), DeCanio (3), Buckner (3), and Sandoval (2) all had multi-hit games against Monterey Bay.

Up Next: The Cougars will will be back in action at home Monday, Feb. 3 to face off against CSU Pueblo at 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM at Cougar Softball Complex.