AZUSA, Calif. -- Azusa Pacific softball earned a doubleheader sweep over Menlo on Friday, taking the opener 11-6 before riding a one-hit shutout from Ava Hernandez to a 2-0 win in game two. The Cougars broke open the first game with a six-run sixth inning, highlighted by Delilah Loera's two-run pinch-hit single and a three-RBI performance from Jocelyn Guzman. In the second game, Hernandez tossed all seven innings and allowed just one hit while Hannah Tipton homered and Reagan Kunkle drove in the other run as APU improved to 10-10 overall and 3-3 in PacWest play.

Game One: Menlo 6, Azusa Pacific 11

The Cougars jumped out early, scoring three runs in the opening inning. Alexus Corona brought in the first run with a sacrifice fly, and Azusa Pacific added two more on Menlo defensive miscues to take a 3-0 lead.

After Menlo cut into the deficit, the Cougars added two more runs in the fifth inning. Jocelyn Guzman delivered a two-run double to left field, scoring Kunkle and Celeste Camarena to extend the APU lead.

Azusa Pacific broke the game open in the sixth with a five-run inning. Kunkle and Guzman each drove in runs, Julia Doan added an RBI single, and Loera delivered a two-run pinch-hit single to push the Cougars ahead 11-5.

Menlo added a run in the bottom half of the inning, but the Cougars held on to secure the 11-6 victory.

Guzman led the Cougars with three RBIs, while Maddy Debs finished 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Bella Fraser added two hits, and Doan, Kunkle and Loera each recorded RBIs in the win.

Allie Reese earned the victory in the circle, throwing 3.2 innings in relief while allowing just one run.

Game Two: Menlo 0, Azusa Pacific 2

The Cougars broke through in the second inning to take the early lead. Maddy Debs reached on a walk and moved into scoring position before Kunkle delivered a two-out RBI single to right field, bringing Debs home for the game's first run.

Azusa Pacific added an insurance run in the third inning when Tipton launched a solo home run to extend the Cougar advantage to 2-0.

That proved to be more than enough support for Hernandez, who controlled the game from the circle. The right-hander allowed just one hit across seven shutout innings while working around five walks and a hit batter. Hernandez stranded multiple Menlo baserunners throughout the game, including a key double play in the sixth inning that erased the Oaks' best scoring opportunity.

Tipton led the Cougars at the plate with two hits, including the home run, while Kunkle also recorded two hits and drove in the game's first run. Julia Doan and Guzman added hits as Azusa Pacific finished with six on the afternoon.

With the win, the Cougars moved to 10-10 overall and 3-3 in PacWest play.

Up Next: APU returns for another day of doubleheaders vs Menlo. First pitch of game one is set for 12:00 p.m.