AZUSA, Calif. – APU hosted Concordia on Saturday for a doubleheader and their season finale, but were not able to come out on top. Game one finished 4-1, while game two ended 10-0 after 6 innings, both in favor of the Golden Eagles.
The Cougars celebrated Senior Day and recognized Rianna de la Barcena, Alexus Corona, Bella Fraser, and Hannah Tipton for their contributions over their careers. The 4 seniors have combined for a total 340 hits and 169 RBIs, while leading the team to a combined 119-97 record over the past 4 seasons.
Game One: Azusa Pacific 1, Concordia 4
The first game of the day proved to be a close game. Concordia opened things up in the 1st with an RBI single to take the lead.
In the top of the 2nd, APU found themselves in a hairy situation as Concordia loaded the bases, but would ultimately leave 3 stranded, as the Cougars got out unscathed.
Azusa Pacific was not so lucky in the 3rd as the Golden Eagles brought in 2 more runs with a double.
Concordia added a fourth to their tally in the top of the 5th, however APU responded in the bottom half of the inning. Reagan Kunkle singled to left center field to load the bases, and a Jocelyn Guzman sac fly would bring in Bella Fraser. A four pitch walk loaded the bases again, however the Cougars were unable to capitalize as it was their turn to close out the inning with 3 runners still on base. The first game ended 4-1.
Azusa Pacific was led by a 3 hit outing from Reagan Kunkle. In the circle Ava Hernandez pitched a complete game, throwing 104 pitches and giving up just a single earned run.
Game Two: Azusa Pacific 0, Concordia 10
Game two began in similar fashion to the first, with Azusa Pacific keeping things close in the beginning. Concordia jumped out to a 2-0 lead courtesy of a run in each of the first two innings.
APU's best chance to get on the board came in the 4th with runners on first and second and no outs, however Concordia was able to escape the inning unharmed.
After a relatively quiet opening to the game Concordia bats exploded putting up 5 in the 5th and 3 in the 6th.
Azusa Pacific finishes the season 23-29 and 16-20 in their final season in the PacWest. The Cougars look ahead to next year, for their inaugural season in the SCIAC.
