SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Azusa Pacific delivered a statement performance on the road Friday, splitting a doubleheader against No. 5 Point Loma at Carroll B. Land Stadium, highlighted by a game one win that snapped the Sea Lions' 20-game win streak.
The Cougars showcased power and late inning execution in the opener before Point Loma responded with a decisive win in game two.
Game One – Azusa Pacific 7, No. 5 Point Loma 6
Azusa Pacific wasted no time setting the tone, jumping out to an early lead and holding off a late push to secure a 7–6 victory.
The Cougars struck for three runs in the first inning, highlighted by a two run home run from Tyler Preece and a solo shot from Jacob Hayes. Jacob Freer added to the momentum in the second inning with a solo home run, giving APU a 4–0 advantage.
Point Loma chipped away with home runs in the second and sixth innings to tie the game at 4–4, then briefly took a 5–4 lead in the seventh on a sacrifice fly.
The Cougars answered in the eighth inning with the decisive rally. After Tyler Preece reached base, Jacob Hayes delivered an RBI double to tie the game. Moments later, Jacob Freer came through with a clutch two run double down the right field line, putting APU back in front 7–5.
Damian Pasillas earned the win in relief, while Andrew Miller closed out the final two innings to secure the save.
Preece led the offense with three hits and two RBIs, while Hayes and Freer each drove in two runs as APU handed Point Loma its first loss in 20 games.
Game Two – No. 5 Point Loma 16, Azusa Pacific 5
The nightcap saw Azusa Pacific jump out to another early lead, but Point Loma responded with a dominant middle inning to secure the split.
The Cougars opened with two runs in the first inning on a two run home run from Isaiah Rios and added single runs in the second and third to build a 4–0 lead. Blake Hagerty and Jacob Freer contributed RBI hits as APU continued its early offensive success.
However, the game shifted dramatically in the fourth inning.
Point Loma erupted for 10 runs in the inning, stringing together eight hits and multiple extra base knocks to take an 11–4 lead. The Sea Lions continued to add on in the fifth and sixth innings, extending the lead to 16–5.
Azusa Pacific managed to add a run in the fifth on an RBI single from Noah Lane but was unable to recover from the fourth inning surge.
Jacob Freer led the Cougars with three hits in the game, while Rios drove in two runs with his first inning home run.
