AZUSA, Calif. – Azusa Pacific strung together two strong performances at the Cougar Softball Complex on Wednesday, taking both games of a doubleheader against Academy of Art. The Cougars won game one 7-4 behind a Caitlin DeCanio homer and Annalise Reyes-Maddy Debs combo in the circle, then followed it up with a 4-1 win in game two thanks to Bella Fraser's three-hit night and a complete-game effort from Mia Castillo.

Game One: Azusa Pacific 7, Academy of Art 4

Sommer Quinones kick-started the offense by drawing a leadoff walk in the first and later scoring on a two-out RBI double from Sierra Sandoval. In the second, the Cougars took advantage of two Urban Knight errors and turned them into three unearned runs. Quinones and Hailey Burns each delivered RBI singles before DeCanio added a sacrifice fly to make it 4-1.

Azusa Pacific tacked on another in the third when Simone Penuelas brought home a run on a sac fly, and the biggest swing of the day came in the fourth: DeCanio crushed a two-run homer to left field, her team-leading seventh of the season, pushing the lead to 7-1.

Reyes was effective through four innings, allowing just one run on five hits while striking out three. Maddy Debs entered in the fifth and pitched the final three frames. She allowed three runs in the seventh, but kept the game under control, securing her second save of the year. 

DeCanio finished 1-for-3 with three RBIs. Quinones reached base three times, going 2-for-2 with a walk, two runs scored, and an RBI. Izzy Rivera was 2-for-4 with a stolen base, and Sandoval added an RBI double.

Game Two: Azusa Pacific 4, Academy of Art 1

The Cougars wasted no time getting on the board in game two. Quinones led off the bottom of the first with a triple down the left field line, and DeCanio drove her in with a sacrifice fly to left to make it 1-0.

After the Urban Knights tied the game in the second with a two-out RBI single, Fraser answered with a solo home run in the bottom half- her first of the season- to put APU back in front.

In the fifth, the Cougars created more separation. Fraser led off with a single and eventually came around to score on an RBI hit by Sakarah Buckner. An inning later, DeCanio drew a walk, and courtesy runner Julia Doan stole third before scoring on Fraser's third hit of the game- a single through the right side to make it 4-1.

Fraser finished 3-for-3 with two RBIs and a home run, while Quinones went 2-for-3 with a triple and a run scored. Izzy Rivera also tallied a multi-hit game and swiped a base.

Castillo was steady and efficient in the circle, tossing a complete-game effort. She allowed 11 hits but stranded runners in every inning, walking none and striking out two across 87 pitches to improve to 5-5 on the year.

Up Next: The Cougars return to the Softball Complex tomorrow, April 3, for the final matchup of the three-game series against the Urban Knights. First pitch is at 3:00 PM.