IRVINE, Calif. – Junior Olivia Matlock hit a 2-out, 2-run home run in the top of the 7th inning to pull the Vikings to within one run, but the comeback attempt by Western Washington University fell just short in a 4-3 loss to Azusa Pacific Saturday morning to open the second day of play in the CUI Kickoff Classic at Great Park.

APU took the early lead scoring a run in the first inning, but WWU knotted things up in the 3rd inning when pinch-runner Lexi Barcomb scored on a wild pitch. The Cougars immediately responded in the bottom of the 3rd with a pair of runs to take a 3-1 lead. First baseman Caitlin DeCanio hit the first of her two solo home runs to in the inning off WWU starter Allie Kimball.

DeCanio added an insurance run leading off the bottom of the 5th inning with another homer to extend the Cougars lead to 4-1.

With two outs in the top of the 7th inning, Matlock drove a 3-2 pitch over the left field fence for her first homer as a Viking after transferring from Saint Martin's. APU starting pitcher Mia Castillo got pinch-hitter Paris Dellamaggiore to groundout to end the game preserving the one-run victory for the Cougars.

The Vikings were limited to two hits in the game and one through the first six innings. Matlock tallied both hits going 2-for-3 with a double and home run.

Kimball (0-2) took the loss while starting an early 8 am game for the second consecutive day, allowing five hits and three runs (2 ER) in 2.1 innings. Freshman relief pitcher Gracie Huston limited APU to one run over the final 3.2 innings to keep the game close.

Castillo pitched all 7.0 innings for the Cougars to earn the win improving to 1-0 on the season. DeCanio was 3-for-3 with two home runs to lead APU (1-2) at the plate.

The Vikings are back on the field at the CUI Kickoff Classic this afternoon with a 3:30 pm game against Vanguard. WWU wraps up play in the tournament Sunday with an 8:30 am game vs. Cal State San Bernardino. 

Here is a look at the Vikings record breakdown for the 2025 season:

Here is a detailed look at WWU's five-game schedule at the CUI Kickoff Classic. A very informative tournament website is available at CUIGoldenEagles.com, which includes important fan information in regards to tickets and field locations. All games will feature live statistical updates online with links listed below:

The WWU softball program begins its 33rd season in 2025 while coming off a historic 52-12 season in 2024. The Vikings claimed their third GNAC title by winning the 2024 postseason tournament at Viking Field and advanced to the NCAA Division II Championships for the sixth time in program history. Playing on its home field in the NCAA postseason for the first time, WWU won its first West Regional title defeating Cal State San Marcos in the sub-regional and Cal State Dominguez Hills in the Super Regional. The historic season ended playing in the national championship series as part of the NCAA Division II Spring Sports Festival in Longwood, Florida. WWU has posted a winning record 21 times during the 32-year history of the program, which won the 1998 NAIA National Championship in only its sixth season to record the school's first ever team national title.