WAIPAHU, Hawai'i — Hawai'i Pacific battled through 15 innings Thursday night but ultimately fell to Azusa Pacific, 9–7, at Hans L'Orange Park.

The Sharks erased an early deficit and held a late lead before the Cougars rallied in extra innings to secure the win.

Azusa Pacific struck first with runs in the opening two innings to take a 2–0 lead. HPU responded in the fifth inning when Brock Wirthgen delivered a two-RBI single to score Kan Taguchi and Taydem Hashimoto. Sam Schneider followed with an RBI single to give the Sharks a 3–2 advantage.

Hawai'i Pacific continued to build momentum over the next two innings. Tyler Arnold drove in a run after being hit by a pitch in the sixth, and Noah Hata extended the lead in the seventh with a solo home run to right field, pushing HPU ahead 5–2.

The Cougars answered in the eighth inning with a pair of home runs, including a solo shot from Tyler Preece and a two-run homer by Jacob Hayes, tying the game at 5–5 and forcing extra innings.

Both teams remained scoreless until the 15th inning when Azusa Pacific broke through with four runs to take a 9–5 lead.

The Sharks attempted a late comeback in the bottom half of the inning as Tyler Arnold singled to left field to drive in Kan Taguchi and Nick Blakeney, but the rally fell short.

HPU finished the game with 13 hits, led by Kan Taguchi and Tyler Arnold with three hits each. Arnold also drove in three runs, while Noah Hata added a home run and two runs scored.

The Sharks used eight pitchers in the marathon contest before Azusa Pacific's Doug Pyle earned the win in relief. Andrew Nykoluk was charged with the loss.

Hawai'i Pacific drops to 8–10 overall with the loss.