AZUSA, Calif. – Azusa Pacific split Saturday's conference doubleheader against Vanguard, rallying late in game one to win 6–3 before falling 9–6 in the finale.

Game One: Vanguard 3, Azusa Pacific 6

Azusa Pacific used a four-run sixth inning to pull away from Vanguard and earn a 6–3 conference win in Game One.

The Cougars struck first in the bottom of the first. Hailey Burns singled, stole second, and came around on an RBI single through the left side by Maddy Debs to give APU a 1–0 lead.

Vanguard evened the game in the top of the third, scoring on a wild pitch to make it 1–1.

Azusa Pacific answered in the fifth. Julia Doan singled to right and moved into scoring position on a fielding error, then scored on Hannah Tipton's RBI single down the left-field line to put the Cougars back in front, 2–1.

The Lions responded in the sixth with two runs to reclaim the lead, 3–2, setting up the decisive bottom half.

APU delivered the big swing in the sixth, sending eight to the plate and scoring four times on four hits. Alexus Corona drew a leadoff walk and moved up on a wild pitch before Celeste Camarena singled to put runners in scoring position. Jocelyn Guzman tied it with an RBI single, then Doan ripped a two-run double to right-center to swing the lead back to the Cougars. Burns followed with an RBI single to cap the inning and make it 6–3.

In the circle, Annalise Reyes earned the win in relief, shutting the door over the final 1.1 innings and finishing the seventh with a double play. APU outhit Vanguard 10–8, led by two-hit days from Doan, Burns, Camarena and Guzman, while Doan drove in two and finished with two runs scored.

Game Two: Vanguard 9, Azusa Pacific 6

Azusa Pacific brought the tying run to the plate in the seventh, but a late Vanguard surge proved to be the difference in a 9-6 setback for Game Two.

Vanguard struck first in the opening inning, using a pair of extra-base hits and an error to plate two runs and take an early 2-0 lead.

The Cougars answered with a big swing in the bottom of the second. After back-to-back singles and a bunt that forced a miscue, Doan stepped in and cleared the bases with a three-run double to center. Another run crossed later in the inning to give Azusa Pacific a 4-2 advantage.

Vanguard chipped away in the fifth, scoring twice to even the game at 4-4.

The visitors then took control in the sixth, capitalizing on four hits and a defensive error to plate three runs and move in front 7-5.

Azusa Pacific continued to fight. In the bottom of the seventh, Doan tripled down the right-field line and came home on an RBI single from Burns to cut the deficit to 9-6, bringing the tying run to the on-deck circle. However, the rally stalled there.

Doan led the Cougars at the plate, finishing with a triple, a double and three RBI. Burns added a pair of hits and an RBI, while the Cougars totaled nine hits on the afternoon.

Up Next: APU will travel up north to face Menlo for a 4 game series, with a doubleheader on Friday, March 6 and Saturday, March 7. First pitch in Atherton on Friday is set for 12:00 p.m.