AZUSA, Calif. – Hawai'i Pacific University started its final road trip of the season with a PacWest Conference doubleheader loss to No. 24 Azusa Pacific 8-4 and 9-0 on Friday at the Cougar Baseball Complex.
 
The Sharks (17-21, 11-16) played for the first time in two weeks, while the 24th ranked Cougars (27-13, 16-6) won their fourth straight and to keep a game out of first place in the PacWest race.
 
Senior Braxton Wehrle of Las Vegas, Nev./Bishop Gorman led the Sharks offensively, going 3-for-4 in game one with a pair of doubles, while junior Richard Higa of Honolulu/University Lab went 2-for-7 for the day with an RBI and freshman T.J. Smith of Sacramento, Calif./Laguna Creek also posted a 2-for-7 day.
 
The Sharks jumped out to a three run 4-1 lead in the top of the third inning in game one on Wehrle's second double of the game and a two RBI single from sophomore Dominic Folks of Arvada, Colo./Arvada West.
 
However, the Cougars added two in the bottom of the frame with a pair of sacrifice flies, then took command in the bottom of the fifth, plating three runs for a 6-4 advantage. APU got a two-run home run from Tido Robles in the sixth and went on to the 8-4 triumph.
 
Sophomore Jack O'Brien of San Diego, Calif./Westview (3-2) was tagged for the loss, allowing five runs on five hits with two walks and four strikeouts in 4.2 innings. Sophomore Mac Leisher of Honolulu/Saint Louis came on in relief, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks with two stikeouts in 3.1 innings.
 
A.J. Woodall hurled a complete game for the Cougars, allowing four runs on eight hits with a walk and seven strikeouts.
 
APU broke open a scoreless contest in the fourth with two runs, and added four runs in the sixth. APU added three more in the eighth on a sac fly and solo homers from Casey Dykstra and Spencer Rasmussen for the 9-0 win.
 
Sophomore starter Giancarlos Cortez of San Diego, Calif./St. Augustine (3-4) took the loss allowing five runs on five hits with three walks and five strikeouts in 5.1 innings, while sophomore Eddie Lee of Honolulu/Kalani allowe one run on three hits with a walk in a third of an inning. Junior Erik Peterson of San Jose, Calif./King's Academy threw the last 2.1 innings, allowing three runs on four hits with a walk and two strikeouts.
 
The Sharks and Cougars wrap up their series on Saturday with a 9-7 doubleheader at Cougar Baseball Complex starting at 9 a.m. HST (Noon PDT).