COSTA MESA, Calif. — Azusa Pacific split its Pacific West Conference doubleheader against Vanguard on Saturday afternoon at VU Softball Field, falling 2-0 in the opener before responding with a 3-2 victory in game two.
Game One: Azusa Pacific 0, Vanguard 2
After three scoreless innings, Vanguard broke through in the bottom of the fourth. The Lions used a leadoff single and an Azusa Pacific error to put runners on before later loading the bases. A bases-loaded walk brought home the game's first run, and Vanguard added another later in the inning to extend the lead to 2-0.
Azusa Pacific's best scoring opportunity came in the fourth inning when Rianna De La Barcena drew a leadoff walk and Alexus Corona followed with a single, movingDe La Barcena to third. However, Vanguard turned a double play later in the inning to escape the threat and preserve the shutout.
Bella Fraser and Corona recorded the Cougars' only hits of the contest, while Corona also added a stolen base behind the plate and caught two runners stealing defensively.
In the circle, Maddy Debs started for Azusa Pacific and allowed two runs, one earned, over three innings while striking out one. Analise Reyes was strong in relief, tossing three scoreless innings and allowing just two hits.
Game Two: Azusa Pacific 3, Vanguard 2
After being shut out in the opening game of the doubleheader, the Cougars responded with timely hitting and a complete-game effort from Ava Hernandez to earn the split.
The game remained scoreless through the first two innings before Azusa Pacific broke through in the third. Jocelyn Guzman singled up the middle to start the frame, moved to second on Julia Doan's groundout and came around to score when Hailey Burns reached on a throwing error, giving the Cougars a 1-0 advantage.
Hernandez kept Vanguard off the scoreboard through six innings despite the Lions collecting multiple baserunners throughout the game. She tossed all seven innings, allowing two unearned runs on nine hits while striking out five.
Azusa Pacific added key insurance runs in the sixth inning. Hailey Burns opened the frame with a triple to left field and later scored when Celeste Camarena reached on a fielding error. Bella Fraser followed with a double to center, bringing in Camarena and extending the Cougars' lead to 3-0.
Vanguard mounted a late rally in the bottom of the seventh, scoring two runs on five hits in the inning, but Hernandez worked out of further trouble to close out the win.
Burns led the Cougars offensively with a 2-for-4 performance that included a triple and a run scored. Bella Fraser added a double and a walk, while Hannah Tipton, Camarena and Guzman each collected a hit.
Up Next: The Cougars will play in their final doubleheader of the year next Saturday, April 25, when the team will honor its seniors. APU will face Concordia Irvine at home. First pitch is set for 2:00 p.m.
