AZUSA, Calif. – APU dropped both games in an afternoon doubleheader to Cal State San Marcos on Saturday. The Cougars were outscored 6-3 in Game One, and 6-2 in Game Two.

Game One: Azusa Pacific 3, CSUSM 6

Azusa Pacific battled throughout Saturday afternoon, but Cal State San Marcos used timely hitting to secure a 6–3 decision in Azusa.

Cal State San Marcos struck first in the top of the third, capitalizing on an error and aggressive baserunning. A two-out, two-RBI single gave the visitors a 2–0 lead.

The Cougars answered in the bottom half. H. Burns singled to start the rally, and after a sacrifice bunt moved runners into scoring position, B. Fraser lined an RBI single up the middle. A sacrifice fly from Alexus Corona brought home another run, evening the score at 2–2.

Cal State San Marcos responded in the fourth, stringing together three hits and taking advantage of productive outs to plate two runs and reclaim a 4–2 advantage.

The visitors added on in the fifth with an RBI single to extend the lead to 5–2, but Julia Doan cut into the deficit in the bottom half with a solo home run to left, making it 5–3.

An additional RBI single in the sixth pushed the San Marcos lead to 6–3, where it would remain.

Bella Fraser paced Azusa Pacific offensively with two hits and an RBI, while J. Doan finished 2-for-4 with a home run, an RBI and two runs scored.

In the circle, Allie Reese went five innings, allowing six runs (five earned) on nine hits while striking out four. Charli Ray Escobedo provided two scoreless innings of relief to close out the afternoon.

Game Two: Azusa Pacific 2, CSUSM 6

Azusa Pacific fell 6–2 to Cal State San Marcos in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader at the Cougar Softball Complex.

Cal State San Marcos broke through in the top of the second, using three hits, three walks and aggressive baserunning to plate three runs and take an early 3–0 lead.

The Cougars answered in the bottom of the third. Jocelyn Guzman led off with a single down the right-field line, and Doan followed with a bunt single to put two aboard. After both runners moved into scoring position, Fraser reached on an error that allowed two unearned runs to score, trimming the deficit to 3–2. Corona added a single in the inning as Azusa Pacific finished with three hits in the frame.

The game remained a one-run contest until the seventh, when Cal State San Marcos strung together three hits, including a two-RBI single and a sacrifice fly, to extend the lead to 6–2.

Azusa Pacific collected six hits on the afternoon. Doan and Guzman each recorded a hit and scored a run, while Fraser doubled in the first inning and Maddy Debs added a single.

In the circle, Ava Hernandez took the loss after allowing three runs in the second inning. Annaliese Reyes provided five innings of relief, and Debs tossed a scoreless seventh to close out the contest.

Up Next: The Cougars will travel to Cal State San Bernardino next week for a doubleheader against the Coyotes. First pitch of game one is set for 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 19.