Azusa, Calif. - In their fourth game in two days, the Adephi University softball team lost both legs of their doubleheader against familiar California foe Azusa Pacific Thursday afternoon, by the final scores of 5-2 and 2-0. 

Game 1: Adelphi 2, Azusa Pacific 5
Finding their groove, the Panthers didn't waste any time slapping together some hits in the first frame. After two singles to start the game from Courtney Murphy and Jordyn Pasqueralli, another one up the middle from Alexa Sacripante found the 'Cats with bases loaded and just one out. Unfortunately, two consecutive outs after that play thwarted any opening inning momentum. 

Lindsey Hibbs was up to her usual ways keeping the Cougars at bay right away, striking out two and allowing just one hit through the first couple innings. The third however proved to be different. Despite getting two outs relatively quickly with a runner on second, a drive to left field brought home the first runner of the game, after Murphy's throw home bounced off the pads of Sacripante. 

The following inning proved to provide some insurance for the hosts, with the first batter cranking the pitch from Hibbs' over the dead-center field fence to double their lead. After another error at home plate and a subsequent single, the lead was suddenly doubled once more. Adelphi went into the last two innings facing a hole, as the second home run of the game for the Cougars extended the margin to five heading into the sixth.

Faith Camilleri came in clutch after Jaden Farhat and Sacripante got on board driving home the 'Cats first two runs on a single through the left side. With the Panthers looking to capitalize in the final frame, the Cougars put down all three batters who stepped up to the plate 1-2-3 to end Game 1. 

Game 2: Adelphi 0, Azusa Pacific 2
The night cap got underway without a lot of offense. Newcomer Lily Kenney took the circle again and held down the hosts through the first three frames, allowing just two hits and striking out the same number. 

It was harder for the Brown and Gold to find their stride. After a leadoff double and passed ball put Pasqueralli at third with no outs, a strikeout and Courtney Wengryn hitting into a double play ended any hopes to strike first for a second consecutive time. 

In the fourth, Azusa Pacific began to find their stride, with a leadoff triple immediately putting the Cougars in a good spot. An immediate single through the left side brought home the first run of the game to break the deadlock. Two innings later, threats on second and third proved to be too much, scoring run number two. 

Inning seven saw the same struggles the rest of the game did. Eleven hits to two was too large of a difference for Adelphi to keep up, going down three times in as many batters to end the night. 

Head Coach Carla Campagna and the Panthers wrap up their week in California on Saturday (Feb. 17) when they take on Concordia-Irvine. First pitch is set for 3:00 p.m.