COSTA MESA, Calif. — Azusa Pacific secured a 3–1 series victory over Vanguard on Tuesday, splitting the doubleheader at Dean Harvey Field with a 5–2 win in game one before dropping a narrow 6–5 decision in the finale.
The Cougars leaned on pitching depth and timely power to claim the series, continuing their push in PacWest play.
Game One – Azusa Pacific 5, Vanguard 2
Azusa Pacific delivered a complete performance in the opener, combining efficient offense with a strong bullpen effort to secure the win.
After a scoreless start, the Cougars broke through in the third inning when Tyler Preece launched a two-run home run to give APU a 2–0 lead. The offense continued to build in the fourth, as Isaiah Rios delivered an RBI single to extend the advantage to 3–0.
Vanguard cut into the deficit with single runs in the fourth and fifth innings, but Azusa Pacific answered in the sixth with a decisive swing.
Jacob Freer crushed a two-run home run to left, pushing the lead to 5–2 and providing key insurance.
On the mound, Joel Tornero set the tone with two scoreless innings, and the Cougars pieced together a strong bullpen effort from David O'Neill and Doug Pyle to maintain control. Andrew Miller closed out the seventh to earn the save and secure the victory.
Freer finished with two hits and two RBIs, while Noah Lane added two hits and two runs scored as APU totaled eight hits in the win.
Game Two – Vanguard 6, Azusa Pacific 5
The nightcap saw Azusa Pacific jump out early once again, but Vanguard used a late surge to claim the split.
The Cougars opened the scoring in the first inning when Jacob Freer reached and came around to score on a defensive miscue. APU added another run in the third and extended the lead to 4–1 in the fourth behind an RBI double from Noah Lane and a run scoring play on an error.
Azusa Pacific pushed the lead to 5–1 in the sixth when Blake Hagerty delivered an RBI single, giving the Cougars control entering the final innings.
Vanguard, however, mounted its comeback in the bottom half.
The Lions scored three runs in the sixth, capitalizing on walks and timely situational hitting to cut the deficit to one. In the seventh, Vanguard completed the rally, scoring twice to walk it off and secure the 6–5 victory.
Hagerty led the Cougars with two hits and an RBI, while Lane added a hit and an RBI as APU managed six hits in the contest.
