AZUSA, Calif. — Azusa Pacific split Wednesday's doubleheader with Chaminade, falling 7–5 in the opener before bouncing back with an 11–7 win in the finale behind a standout 4-for-4 performance from Bella Fraser.
Game One: Azusa Pacific 5, Chaminade 7
Chaminade struck first with a two-run opening inning, but APU answered immediately in the bottom half. Julia Doan led off with a solo home run to center, and later in the frame Fraser brought home Hannah Tipton on a fielder's choice to even the score at 2-2.
The Silverswords regained control in the second, capitalizing on an Azusa Pacific error before doubling down the left field line to plate another run and push the lead to 4-2.
After the Cougars were held scoreless in the third, Chaminade threatened again in the fourth and scratched across a run on a bases-loaded walk to make it 5-2.
APU responded with two runs of its own in the bottom of the fourth. Abi Milton reached on a fielder's choice and later stole third before scoring on a throwing error, then Jocelyn Guzman came home on a wild pitch to trim the deficit to one.
The Cougars got within 5-4 in the fifth when Alexus Corona walked, moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt from Reagan Kunkle and came home on Fraser's RBI single to center.
Chaminade added key insurance in the seventh, scoring 2 more runs to build a 7-4 cushion.
Azusa Pacific threatened in the bottom of the seventh with singles from Kunkle and Fraser, but the rally was cut short before the Cougars could bring the tying run to the plate.
Doan finished 2-for-4 with a home run, RBI and stolen base, while Fraser went 2-for-4 with two RBI. Kunkle also collected three hits, and Corona reached base twice and scored once.
In the circle, Charli Ray Escobedo got the start for APU, with Analise Reyes and Ava Hernandez also seeing action in relief.
Game Two: Azusa Pacific 11, Chaminade 7
The Cougars struck first in the opening inning as Tipton drove in Julia Doan with an RBI double to take a 1-0 lead.
APU broke the game open in the second. Fraser and Guzman reached to set the table before Maddy Debs kept the inning alive. Hailey Burns followed with a single to load the bases, and Doan delivered the big swing- a bases-clearing double to put the Cougars ahead 4-0. Tipton added another RBI knock later in the inning to cap a four-run frame.
The Cougars kept the pressure on in the third. Kunkle reached and moved into scoring position before Fraser singled. Guzman drove in a run with a base hit, and Debs followed with an RBI double. Burns added an RBI groundout and Doan lifted a sacrifice fly as APU extended the lead to 9-0.
Chaminade answered with a six-run fourth inning, taking advantage of multiple hits and errors to cut the deficit to 9-6.
Azusa Pacific responded in the fifth to regain control. Debs led off with a double and later scored on a pinch-hit RBI single from Delilah Loera. Tipton added a sacrifice fly to push the lead to 11-6.
Chaminade picked up one more run in the sixth, but Debs shut the door in relief, tossing the final two innings and inducing a game-ending double play to secure the win.
Bella Fraser led the offense with a perfect 4-for-4 performance, while Julia Doan drove in four runs. Hannah Tipton added three RBI, and Maddy Debs scored three times while also earning the win in the circle.
Up Next: APU returns home for a 4 game series against Hawai'i Pacific over the weekend. The first day of doubleheaders is Friday, March 20. First pitch of Game 1 is set for 4:00 p.m.
