By Tim Peterson
(Azusa) – Azusa Pacific opened up a 7-0 lead through the first three innings and went on to beat Hawaii Hilo 9-4 Saturday at the Cougar Baseball Complex. With the victory the Cougars swept the doubleheader after winning the first game 15-9.
The Cougars got two in the first inning on solo shots by leadoff hitter Bryce Robinette and Jacob Hayes. In the third inning they added five more to gain complete control.
Robinette again got things started in the third with a base hit to right field and Blake Hagerty walked. With one out Hayes walked and Noah Lane looped a single to left to drive in a run. Caleb Velo lashed a single to center to plate two more and Jacob Freer bunted and was thrown out at first base but another run scored. Matt Kurkdjian drove in a run with a shot to left to make it 7-0.
In the fourth inning Hagerty hit a drive that was last seen sailing over the net in left field to give the Cougs an 8-0 lead. By all reports the ball has still yet to land.
Meanwhile Arcadia’s own Casey Spencer was sailing along as he threw five scoreless innings. Hawaii Hilo finally broke through in the sixth on a solo home run by Aaron Rapoza.
Hagerty walked, advanced on a single by Tyler Preece and scored on a base knock by Hayes it make it 9-1 in the bottom of the sixth.
Doug Pyle relieved Spencer for Azusa Pacific in the seventh and allowed a three-run home run to Evan Merz to account for the final tally.
Spencer worked six innings and allowed one run and five hits while striking out four and walking two.
For Hawaii Hilo Brandon Bollerer pitched three and one-third innings to take the loss. He gave up eight runs and eight hits. Sebastian Garcia went the rest of the way.
With the two victories the Cougars improved to 12-14 overall and 10-7 in the Pac West Conference. Hawaii Hilo fell to 9-11 and 8-8.
HH 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 4 6 0
AP 2 0 5 1 0 1 – 9 10 1
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