Cougars Claw Out Sweep of Eagles

Game One        Game Two 

(3/29/08 - Softball) AZUSA - Azusa Pacific OF Nicole Llorens completed a 4-for-4 outing with an 8th-inning, walk-off single to give host Azusa Pacific a sweep of #19-ranked Concordia, 5-2 and 5-4, Saturday afternoon in Golden State Athletic Conference play.

The Eagles jumped out a 3-1 lead in the second game after dropping the opener as Carly Smith roped a RBI-double in the 1st inning, then Samantha Perez delivered a clutch two-out, 2-RBI single in the 2nd inning. The lead remained intact at 4-3 heading into the 7th inning, but the Cougars continued to battle back.

Erika Navarette led off the 7th with a bunt single, but a fielder's choice out at second base and an infield pop-up had the Eagles one out away from the series split. However, Erin Halma beat out an infield single, then Bethany Weisser singled to allow Camille Hundley to race around with the game-tying run.

With the international tiebreaker set into effect in the 8th, the Eagles sent speedy outfielder Tiana King to second base and promptly sacrificed her over to third base with the potential go-ahead run. The clutch hit needed to score did not come, however, as Ashley Alvarez flight out to left before Perez grounded out to third on a 3-2 pitch.

The Cougars needed just two batters to claim the victory as they sacrificed Weisser over to third base before Llorens legged out an infield single.

Jeanette Murad (2-3) picked up the win in relief for the Cougars, allowing a hit and a walk in 2.2 innings of relief while striking out three. Laura Wiens (7-2) took the loss for the Eagles, allowing two runs (one earned) in 1.2 innings after Sarah Frudakis worked out nine hits in 5.1 innings, but allowed just three runs while striking out four.

Perez, Isabel Chavez and Lauren Hastings each had two hits in the finale for the Eagles while Shannon Walton had two of the five Concordia hits in the opener. Hundley quieted the Ealge bats in game one, allowing just one earned run while going the distance and recording seven strikeouts. Rachel Reekstin (8-6) allowed five runs (four earned) on seven hits over six innings while walking three and striking out two.

Concordia (29-12, 3-7 GSAC) will need to rebound quickly as it hosts #2-ranked and four-time defending GSAC champion California Baptist this Tuesday, April 1 in a GSAC doubleheader starting at 2:00 p.m.