AZUSA, Calif. – The Cougars clinched the series sweep over Vanguard on Saturday at the Cougar Baseball Complex. A late offensive surge and solid pitching lifted Azusa Pacific to a 5-3 comeback victory in the first game, followed by a 7-0 dominant second game.

Game One: Vanguard 3, Azusa Pacific 5

The Cougars were in a scoring drought for the first five innings, as Vanguard struck first, scoring two runs in the opening inning off a home run, and adding another in the second to take an early 3-0 lead. Azusa Pacific responded in the fifth when an RBI single from Elijah Morgan sent home Antonio Lujan.

The momentum continued in the sixth as Lujan delivered an RBI double, bringing home Diego Frey and Will Medina to even the score heading into the top of the seventh.

The Cougars took the lead and added an insurance run in the seventh and eighth innings, as Medina hit a sacrifice fly out to left field, allowing Morgan to get the go-ahead run. Jacob Hayes capped off the bottom of the eighth with a solo home run, marking his eighth of the season, and second of the series against the Lions.

On the mound, reliever Gabe Jacobs pitched five innings, allowing only one hit, giving up no runs, and striking out four batters to claim the win. Joel Tornero pitched the crucial last two innings, preserving the Cougars lead to earn his fourth save of the season.

Game Two: Vanguard 0, Azusa Pacific 7

Azusa Pacific had an offensive explosion in the fourth, after going up 2-0 in the first two innings with an RBI single from Diego Frey to send Danny Yanez home and an error from the Lions allowing Easter to get on the board. 

In the bottom of the fourth, Jacob Freer got himself into scoring position after singling up the middle, then stealing second. Frey doubled down the right field line and Freer scored. Later in the frame, a big swing from Lujan put the game out of reach. With two runners on, he crushed a three-run home run to deep right, giving Azusa Pacific a commanding 6-0 lead. 

Freer batted in Dominic Martinez off a single to right field, stretching the Cougar's lead to seven in the fifth.

Casey Spencer was dominant on the mound, tossing six scoreless innings while allowing just two hits and striking out six. Spencer never allowed more than one baserunner in an inning. Jake Vargas sealed the win with a perfect seventh inning, striking out one to complete the shutout.

Up Next: The Cougars head to Hawai'i for a series against Hawai'i Hilo. The teams will play a single game on Thursday, March 6, followed by a doubleheader on Friday and another single on Saturday to wrap up their trip. First pitch on Thursday is at 6:00 PM HST (8:00 PM PST).