AZUSA, Calif. – Azusa Pacific completed a three-game sweep of Academy of Art on Thursday afternoon with a 7-2 win at the Cougar Softball Complex. Julia Doan and Sierra Sandoval each sent one over the fence, and Ava Hernandez had a strong start in the circle. With the win the Cougars sit third in the PacWest standings behind No. 1 Concordia and No. 2 Biola.

How it Happened: The Cougars jumped ahead in the bottom of the first after Caitlin DeCanio and Sierra Sandoval each walked to load the bases. Izzy Rivera followed with an infield single, driving in Hailey Burns for the game's first run.

The Urban Knights briefly took the lead in the third on a two-run double, but Azusa Pacific responded immediately. Doan opened the bottom of the fourth with a solo home run to center, tying the game 2-2. Moments later, Sommer Quinones laid down a bunt single to score Rianna De La Barcena from third and give APU the lead for good.

The Cougars kept the pressure on in the fifth. Doan crushed a two-out triple to center field to bring home Bella Fraser, then scored on a double to left by pinch-hitter Sydney Juarez, stretching the lead to 5-2. In the sixth, Sandoval launched a two-run homer to left field, driving in Quinones to cap the scoring.

Hernandez picked up her sixth win of the season, tossing 6.2 innings with just three hits, two runs, and five strikeouts. Freshman Charli Ray Escobedo took the field for the first time as a Cougar, coming in to strike out the final batter and record the final out.

By the Numbers: Doan finished 2-for-3 with a home run, triple, two RBIs and two runs scored. Sandoval went 2-for-2 with two RBIs, a home run, and two walks. Quinones added three hits, including a double, and an RBI.

Up Next: Azusa Pacific improves to 22-15 overall and 18-8 in PacWest play with the win, entering the final stretch of conference play. The Cougars take a break from the PacWest to host Cal State San Bernardino on Saturday for a two-game series. First game of the doubleheader is scheduled for 12:00 PM.