AZUSA, Calif. - Azusa Pacific came up just short in both games of Friday's doubleheader at Vanguard, falling 1-0 in the opener and 3-2 in game two. Despite strong pitching performances and a late rally in the second game, the Cougars couldn't find a way.
Game One: Azusa Pacific 0, Vanguard 1
Vanguard scored the game's only run in the bottom of the first. After a leadoff bunt single, the Lions immediately doubled the runner home with a shot to left center field, making it 1-0. Azusa Pacific avoided further damage with a defensive double play, but the early deficit held the rest of the way.
The Cougars had opportunities to pull even. In the fourth,
Sierra Sandoval doubled to right-center with one out , but a pair of quick outs ended the threat. In the fifth,
Emily Zuniga led off with a single and moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt from
Simone Penuelas, but APU once again left a runner stranded.
DeCanio finished 2-for-3, while Sandoval and Zuniga each added a hit. Azusa Pacific totaled four hits but couldn't break through against Vanguard's Brianna Williams, who tossed a complete-game shutout.
Maddy Debs took the loss for the Cougars despite a strong outing, allowing just one run on four hits over three innings.
Analise Reyes threw three scoreless innings in relief, giving up only two hits and a walk while striking out one.
Game Two: Azusa Pacific 2, Vanguard 3
Vanguard broke through first in the bottom of the third, stringing together a walk and three straight hits to plate three runs. An RBI single, followed by a two-run double gave the Lions all the offense they would need.
Azusa Pacific had runners on base in nearly every inning but couldn't break through until the sixth. Sandoval led off with a double to right-center, and after a flyout,
Bella Fraser delivered a clutch RBI triple to left-center, cutting the deficit to 3-1.
Alexus Corona kept the rally going with a two-out RBI single to center field, scoring Fraser and bringing the Cougars within one.
Despite the late push, Vanguard's pitcher retired the side in order in the seventh to close out the win.
Izzy Rivera and Corona led the Cougars at the plate, each with 2-for-3 performances, while Sandoval, Fraser, and
Julia Doan all tallied a hit of their own. Azusa Pacific finished with seven hits in the loss.
Ava Hernandez took the loss after pitching five innings, allowing three earned runs on five hits.
Delaney Raetz threw a clean sixth inning in relief.
Up Next: The Cougars dropped to 27-20 overall with the two-game sweep, despite outhitting Vanguard in the second game and putting together a strong late-inning rally. Azusa Pacific has a chance for revenge tomorrow in the last two games of the regular season. The Lions will travel to the Cougar Softball Complex foa a doubleheader; first pitch of game one is set for 2:00 PM.
