AZUSA, Calif. - Dominican softball fell in its opening doubleheader 4-1 and 2-0 Friday night to Azusa Pacific at the Cougar Softball Complex.
Shelby Keltner led the offense with a 2-for-4 day at the plate to go with a run and an RBI while pitching six innings and striking out six.
Game One
The Cougars (24-18, 12-10) got off to a strong start as Kinsey Erickson tripled to right center open the game and scored as Carley Gay singled to left. Dominican was able to settle in from there and leave two runners stranded as
Taylor Rodriguez struck out the final batter of the inning to keep within one.
A leadoff walk in the top of the second put a runner on base for the Penguins and
Faith Erb advanced on a groundout and a wild pitch to get 60 feet from the tie, but Katie Korstrom induced a groundout to third to get out of the inning and preserve her lead. Garcia singled to left to lead off the top of the fourth and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt as Dominican continued to press for the tie. Korstrom once again was up to the challenge grabbing a groundball for one out and striking out another to close the frame.
The Cougars made the most of their small-ball strategy in the bottom of the fourth as Mia Alvarez singled to left to lead off the frame before advancing on a groundout to second. A pair of singles the second coming off the bat of Aleah Delgado brought Alvarez home for the 2-0 lead.
The Penguins got one back in the top of the sixth as
Kate Tobola wlaked and stole second before Keltner singled through the right side to bring her home and cut the lead to one as
Alicia Garcia advanced to third. A. Garcia attempted to tie the game on a sacrifice fly but the right fielder's throw home was in time to catch her for the final out of the inning.
Azusa Pacific added a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth including a solo shot by Alvarez and they held on for the victory.
Game Two
Tobola walked and advanced in to scoring position to get Dominican off to a strong start in the second game, but was unable to get any further as Sydnie Sahhar worked her way out of the jam. The Cougars also started strong as Erickson singled and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. After an infield single another sacrifice bunt moved both runners into scoring position but Keltner got Alvarez swinging to end the threat.
APU once again put runners on second and third with two outs in the bottom of the second but once again Keltner came through as she stuck out Erickson looking. After the pitchers ruled the next several frames, Julia Olivares and Ally Chin each singled before Gay doubled down the right-field line to bring both runs home for a 2-0 lead.
Dominican had one last chance to tie in the top of the seventh as Keltner and Anabelle Burke drew walks before a muffed catch at third loaded the bases with one out.
Jayla Cadena drew a walk to score one, but Sahhar caught a popup back to the circle to end the game and secure the victory.
Dominican will look to rebound Saturday as it has two more games with the Cougars beginning at noon PDT.
