AZUSA, Calif. - Azusa Pacific turned in two dominant and drama-filled performances on Saturday to sweep a doubleheader against Menlo College, winning Game 1 in comeback fashion 10-8 and unleashing a historic offensive explosion in Game 2 with a 19-5 rout. The Cougars improve to 17-19 on the season while Menlo falls to 5-29.

Game 1: Power and Patience Fuel Late Rally in 10-8 Victory

Game one started with a back-and-forth rhythm that saw the Cougars trailing early before clawing their way back behind the long ball. Menlo struck first, but Azusa Pacific answered immediately with a three-run second inning, capped by a towering three-run homer from Diego Frey.

That was just the beginning of a home run parade. Jacob Hayes and Allan Camarillo each added solo shots, while Elijah Cook went deep in the eighth to break a 7-7 tie and give APU the lead for good. Cook finished the game 3-for-4, scoring three times and driving in two, while Camarillo chipped in with a 2-for-4 performance, including a go-ahead RBI double late in the game.

Despite Menlo launching three home runs of their own—including a two-run blast by Jesus Valenzuela—the Cougars' bullpen held firm. Jake Vargas earned the win with a scoreless eighth, and closer Joel Tornero sealed the deal in the ninth for his seventh save of the season.

Game 2: 15-Run Fourth Inning Ignites Offensive Firestorm

If the first game was a gritty win, the second was an offensive masterpiece.

After falling behind 5-2 in the top of the fourth, the Cougars unleashed one of the most explosive innings in program history—scoring 15 runs on 9 hits in the bottom half of the frame. The inning featured back-to-back home runs by Hayes and Cook, a two-run triple by Mikey Easter, and a relentless barrage of doubles, walks, and base hits that chased multiple Menlo pitchers from the mound.

Hayes was unstoppable once again, finishing with two home runs and six RBIs. Cook stayed red-hot with his second homer of the day, while Dominic Martinez continued his breakout weekend with three hits, including two doubles and two RBIs. Easter added three RBIs of his own, and Antonio Lujan joined the home run party with a solo shot of his own.

On the mound, Kyle Bender earned the win in relief, silencing Menlo's bats over 2.1 scoreless innings. They didn't allow a run after the fourth inning, slamming the door on any thoughts of a Menlo comeback.

Inside the Box Score 
- Cook finished the weekend batting .629 with four home runs and eight RBI
- Hayes led the squad with five homers over the four-game stretch.
- The Cougars batted 28-for-70 (.400 average) as a team across both games.

Game Notes
-  Easter now has 100 career hits at Azusa Pacific.
-  Hayes now holds a 12-game hit streak.
-  The Cougars tied their season-high 18 rbi total set the day before
-  Easter has reached base safely in the last 13 games.