IRVINE, Calif. – Azusa Pacific kept its postseason run alive with a 5-0 shutout victory over Dominican on Thursday afternoon at Golden Eagles Field. Behind a dominant outing from Maddy Debs and a three-run home run from junior Hannah Tipton, the Cougars advanced to yet another win-or-go-home matchup against rival Biola later in the day.

The Cougars jumped on the board in the first inning. After Sommer Quinones singled and advanced to second on a strikeout and passed ball, Sierra Sandoval delivered a two-out RBI single to left. Both Quinones and Sandoval advanced an extra base on the Penguin throw to give the Cougars an early 1-0 lead.

The game remained close until the fourth when the Cougars broke it open. Bella Fraser and Alexus Corona strung together back-to-back singles, and with two outs, pinch hitter Tipton came through with a clutch three-run homer over the left field wall, her first of the season, extending the lead to 4-0.

Azusa Pacific added another insurance run in the sixth. With the bases loaded and two outs, Izzy Rivera drew a walk to score Julia Doan, who had singled and stole second earlier in the inning.

Debs handled her own in the circle, tossing six scoreless innings and allowing just three hits while striking out four. Mia Castillo came on to pitch the seventh and closed the door, stranding two runners to preserve the shutout. It was the Cougars' seventh team shutout of the year.

Corona went 3-for-3 at the plate with a run scored, while Doan finished 2-4, including a double and adding a stolen base in a balanced offensive effort that saw APU collect nine hits.

Up Next: With the win, Azusa Pacific and Biola will have their season tiebreaker, after each team took home two wins in conference play. Both teams swept their doubleheaders on the road and fell on their home turf in their matchups earlier in the season. First pitch for the elimination game is set for 5:00 p.m.