HILO, Hawai'i – Azusa Pacific struggled to get its bats going in the series opener against Hawai'i Hilo, falling 2-0 at Francis Wong Stadium on Friday afternoon. The Cougars flipped the script in game two, however, outsourcing the Vulcans 5-2.

Game One: Hawai'i Hilo 2, Azusa Pacific 0

The game remained scoreless until the fourth inning when the Vulcans broke through. A walk got a Vulcan pinch runner on first, and after a sacrifice bunt moved the runner into scoring position, an RBI single brought in the game's first run.

Hilo struck again in the fifth, this time on a solo home run to left field, extending their lead to 2-0. That proved to be enough, as Azusa Pacific's offense struggled to make a comeback.

PacWest Pitcher of the Week Maddy Debs started strong, tossing three scoreless innings while allowing just two hits and striking out one. Analise Reyes came in relief, pitching the final three frames, allowing two runs on two hits, while also recording a strikeout.

Game Two: Hawai'i Hilo 2, Azusa Pacific 5

In the second matchup of the day, the Cougars sought revenge for their scoreless first game. Sommer Quinones led off the game with a walk and advanced to second on a groundout. Sierra Sandoval stepped up and singled to center field, bringing Quinones home to give Azusa Pacific a quick 1-0 lead.

Despite Hilo tying the game in the next frame, the Cougars offense kept rolling in the second when Alexus Corona launched a solo home run to left to re-establish a lead. Later in the inning, Doan ripped a double to left center to bat in Simone Penuelas and push the lead to 3-1.

Hilo cut into the deficit, tacking on another run in the second to make it a 3-2 ballgame, but Ava Hernandez didn't falter, pitching all seven innings and not allowing another run after.

Azusa Pacific added some cushion in the later innings, including a solo home run from Doan in the fourth. Penuelas came through with an RBI single to score Emile Zuniga for the insurance run in the top of the seventh.

Hernandez tossed a complete game in the circle while allowing just two runs on six hits, while striking out four. Doan led the charge at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double, a home run, and two RBIs. Corona added three hits, including her solo homer, while Penuelas and Sandoval added an RBI of their own.

Up Next: The Cougars  look to take the series in the rubber match on Saturday. First pitch is at 12:00 PM HST (2:00 PM PST).