CARSON, Calif. – Azusa Pacific split its Monday doubleheader against Cal State Dominguez Hills, bouncing back from a game one loss with a gritty 7-5 extra-inning victory in the second marchup at Toro Diamond. Caitlin DeCanio delivered the clutch game-tying RBI in the seventh before the Cougars exploded for three runs in the eighth to pull ahead.

The series marked a non-conference road makeup game for the Cougars, who improved to 17-13 on the season, while the Toros moved to 20-15.

Game One: Cal State Dominguez Hills 6, Azusa Pacific 3

The Cougars struck early, scoring in each of the first two innings. Sommer Quinones opened the game with a walk and came around to score on a single up the middle by DeCanio. In the second, Bella Fraser singled and later scored on a two-out RBI single by Alexus Corona to give Azusa Pacific a 2-0 advantage.

Dominguez Hills responded with a run in the fourth and took the lead in the fifth, capitalizing on back-to-back Cougar errors to score two unearned runs.

Trailing 3-2 entering the seventh, Quinones singled and later came around to score on a fielding error to cut the deficit to 6-3, but the late rally fell short.

DeCanio went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a walk, while Fraser added a hit and a run scored. Mia Castillo started in the circle and allowed just one earned run through four innings before giving way to Maddy Debs, who was charged with the loss.

Game Two: Azusa Pacific 7, Cal State Dominguez Hills 5 (8 innings)

Game two saw a thrilling turnaround for Azusa Pacific, who overcame an early 3-0 deficit and fought back to force extras with a late RBI single by DeCanio before erupting in the eighth.

The Toros struck for three runs in the first inning, but APU responded immediately. Sierra Sandoval launched a solo home run to center in the second to get the Cougars on the board, and in the fifth, a groundout by Quinones brought home Julia Doan to lower the deficit to 4-2.

Trailing by one in the top of the seventh, DeCanio came through in the clutch, yet again, singling up the middle to score Quinones and tie the game at 4-4.

In the eighth, Fraser singled, and Doan followed with a double to left-center to set the stage. With two runners in scoring position, Rianna De La Barcena reached on a throwing error by the pitcher, allowing both runners to score. Moments later, Hailey Burns added a two-out RBI infield single to make it 7-4.

Dominguez Hills managed to muster up one run in the bottom of the eighth, but Ava Hernandez closed the door to secure the win and improve to 4-4 on the season.

DeCanio finished 2-for-5 with a run and an RBI, while Sandoval added two hits, including the homer. Doan went 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored, and Fraser contributed two hits and a run.

Up Next: Azusa Pacific returns home to resume PacWest play as the Cougars take on Jessup Friday, March 28. First pitch is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.