POMONA, Calif. — A strong opening-night pitching effort wasn't quite enough for Azusa Pacific as the Cougars opened the 2026 season with a 1–0 loss on the road at Cal Poly Pomona on Friday night at Scolinos Field.

The season opener quickly turned into a pitchers' duel, with both teams trading zeroes through the first three innings. Cal Poly Pomona broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the fourth, capitalizing on a leadoff walk and a stolen base before Bryan Richman delivered a two-out RBI single up the middle to plate the game's only run.

It had its best scoring opportunity in the top of the fourth inning when Antonio Lujan and Jacob Hayes delivered back-to-back singles with one out, but a strikeout and a flyout ended the threat and kept the Cougars off the scoreboard.

APU finished the night with five hits, led by Lujan, who went 2-for-4 in the season opener. Hayes and Tyler Preece also recorded hits for the Cougars, who were limited to just one walk in the game.

On the mound, Casey Spencer was sharp in his first start of the year, allowing just one run on two hits across four innings while striking out five. Kaleb Tenn and Doug Pyle combined to toss four scoreless innings of relief, helping keep the Cougars within striking distance late.

Despite allowing only one run, Azusa Pacific couldn't solve the Cal Poly Pomona pitching staff. Dylan Esquival and Andrew Campbell combined to strike out 10 Cougars while scattering five hits. Campbell earned the win after throwing five shutout innings in relief.

They had a chance to mount a rally in the ninth inning when Hayes worked a two-out walk, but the threat was cut short by a strikeout to end the game.

It will look to bounce back as the series continues this weekend in Azusa on Saturday at 1:00PM.