The Cougars celebrate the title (Photo by Duane Barker)
By Tim Peterson
(Glendora) – Dillon Mayashiro threw a complete game and Adrian Tovalin knocked in two runs to lead Azusa Pacific to a 4-1 win over Dixie State Tuesday night in the second game of a doubleheader.
With the win the Cougars completed a sweep of the two games and wrapped up the PacWest Conference Championship in the process.
While Mayashiro was doing his thing on the mound Azusa Pacific got all the runs it needed in the third inning. Nick Estrella singled to left and stole second and after Cam Bennett walked, Pablo O’Connor ripped a run scoring base hit. Tovalin then followed with the biggest hit of the game with a two-run single to left for a 3-0 advantage.
Dixie State looked like it would break through in the fifth but Tyler Mildenberg was called out at the plate when he ran over catcher Justin Gomez.
Michael Staudinger unloads in the sixth inning (Photo by Duane Barker)
Dixie cut the Cougar lead to 3-1 in the sixth when Bryce Feist belted a solo shot to left. APU got the run back however in the bottom of the sixth when Michael Staudinger launched a bomb to right field for the final run of the night.
Mayashiro then closed it out in the seventh and the celebration ensued.
The Cougars won the first game 2-0 on two O’Connor solo blasts
The win left the Cougars at 40-9 overall and 27-8 as the PacWest champions.
“I’m relieved, proud of the guys. It’s the players that did it,” said APU Head Coach Paul Svagdis. “We had two phenomenal starts. Our pitching staff has really been carrying us this year.”
O’Connor has been swinging a hot bat for the Cougars.
There was a collision at the plate in the fifth inning. The runner was ruled out. (Photo by Duane Barker)
“When you’re pitching really well against a good team that may be all you get that day. So Pablo really picked us up there. They’re (Dixie State) a really great team so we’re fortunate to get out of here today the way we did,” Svagdis added.
The Cougars will find out where they are seeded Sunday when post season selections take place.
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