AZUSA, Calif. - Azusa Pacific continued its six-game homestand as the Cougars battled the inclement weather and the Nighthawks at Cougar Softball Complex.

How it Happened: In their first turn at the plate, the Cougars opened the scoring as a ground ball by Izzy Rivera was placed far enough from the reach Northwest Nazarene to bring home Sommer Quinones.

However, NNU returned the favor in the following inning, plating 2 runs off three hits to take back the lead. Mia Castillo would bounce back with two innings of shutout work, but a two-run single in the top of the fifth grew the Cougars' deficit to three runs.

Despite the setback, the Cougars got themselves back in the game immediately in the bottom of their frame as two RBI doubles courtesy of Bella Fraser and Quinones brought the Cougars within one heading into the sixth.

Ava Hernandez continued her relief effort, coming up big with a shutout inning of relief to keep the momentum in favor of Azusa Pacific. Unfortunately, the Cougars would not get their chance to complete their comeback as the weather caused the game and the ensuing matchup to bring the scheduled doubleheader to an early end in favor of Northwest Nazarene.

By the Numbers: Hernandez has now pitched five consecutive shutout innings dating back to 2/3/25 against CSU Pueblo, and lowered her season ERA to 3.89 in 9.0 innings of work. Fraser led the squad with three hits and one RBI against NNU, and improved her batting average to .391 in seven games played.. As a team, the Cougars batted .286 against the Nighthawks. Rivera has collected an RBI in three-straight games.

Up Next: Azusa Pacific returns to the ball park Saturday Feb. 8 as they face Cal State San Marcos for a doubleheader. First pitch is at 2:00 PM at the Cougar Softball Complex.