AZUSA, Calif. -- After weather delays pushed back the start of the PacWest Conference season, Azusa Pacific finally took the field Saturday night for the first two games of their four-game series against Chaminade. Originally scheduled to begin with single games on Thursday and Friday, heavy rain forced a shuffle in the schedule, turning the series opener into a doubleheader at the Cougar Baseball Complex. The two teams split the day, with the Cougars taking Game 1, 6-3, before Chaminade responded with a 7-6 victory in Game 2.

Chaminade made its first-ever trip to Azusa after the Cougars traveled to Hawaii last year in the Silverswords' inaugural season.

Game 1: Azusa Pacific 6, Chaminade 3

The Cougars struck early and never looked back in the opener, building a 5-0 lead through the first two innings, including two home runs from Antonio Lujan and one from Will Medina. In the bottom of the second, Elijah Morgan doubled up the middle before advancing to third on a wild pitch. Diego Frey's hit to right field was enough to send Morgan home for an RBI single. Allan Camarillo scored after reaching first on a fielder's choice followed by Lujan's second homer.

On the mound, David Hays was in control, holding Chaminade scoreless through five innings before Cameron Kessel stepped in to relieve him at the top of the sixth.

Kessel ran into some trouble as Chaminade clawed back with a three-run sixth inning to cut the Silverswords deficit in half, but it wasn't enough to initiate a comeback. Casey Spencer replaced Kessel on the mound and pitched through the top of the eighth before Joel Tornero came in to finish the game. Tornero was credited with the save. 

Game 2: Chaminade 7, Azusa Pacific 6

The Cougars couldn't hold off Chaminade in a 7-6 defeat in Game 2. The Cougars jumped ahead in the first inning by a single run homer from Jacob Hayes. Mikey Easter walked to first before reaching home on a Chaminade error that allowed Elijah Cook to reach third. An RBI from Bryce Robinette sent in Cook to put the Cougars up 3-0. 

Azusa Pacific's bats went cold for three straight innings while Chaminade put up five runs, before a fifth-inning rally briefly gave the Cougars life. Hayes, who finished the game 3-for-4 with two home runs and three RBIs, struck again in the fifth with a two-run homer, sending in Lujan who reached first after being hit by a pitch. Cook hit a solo home run to regain the lead 6-5.

Despite the offensive bursts, Azusa Pacific's bullpen couldn't keep Chaminade off the board. The Silverswords plated two in the sixth to take the lead for good, capitalizing on a leadoff walk and a slew of hits. The Cougars had a late opportunity in the seventh, but a strikeout at bat ended the game with the tying run stranded at second base and the winning one left at first.


Up Next: With the series now tied 1-1, the Cougars and Silverswords will resume action on Monday with another doubleheader at 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM at the Cougar Baseball Complex. These two games were originally scheduled for Thursday and Friday but were moved due to rain.