AZUSA, Calif. -- As Azusa Pacific continues its work on the field in 2006 the news continues to be good off the diamond.

The Cougars have inked an agreement with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes – the Class A affiliate of the Anaheim Angels – to play an upcoming exhibition game. It marks the second straight season that the squads have met.

Additionally, head coach Paul Svagdis has announced the signing of Virgil Chavira, who will join the program next fall.

The exhibition contest against the Quakes is slated for Wednesday, April 5, at 7:05 p.m. at The Epicenter in Rancho Cucamonga.

“We are excited that we have an opportunity to play them again,” said Svagdis “Our guys had a great experience last season. It was a close game and it was something that we were really interested in doing again.”

The Quakes won last year’s meeting, 3-2. But the Cougars were competitive in the process against a team that was loaded with talent. Azusa Pacific starting pitcher Jason Ray, who was now in the Oakland A’s organization, retired the side in order in the top of the first inning on 12 pitches.

He faced sluggers Howie Kendrick and Brandon Wood both of whom would go on to have tremendous campaigns. Kendrick (.384, 12 homers and 47 RBIs) and Wood (.321, 43 homers and 115 RBIs) are 2 of the most prized prospects in the Angels’ farm system. Ray got them both out as he breezed through his inning of work.

Meanwhile, Chavira, a senior at Western Christian High in Covina, has signed his letter of intent and will don a Cougar uniform next season. As a junior, he batted .500 (30-for-60) with 8 doubles and a homer and 10 RBIs as he earned All-Christian League honors.

The slick fielding shortstop earned honorable mention awards at the CIF and valley levels.

“We are very happy that Virgil has signed with us,” said Svagdis. “He is a talented player that can do a lot of things and he’s a great person who will bring outstanding qualities to our team.”

For all those interested in purchasing tickets to the Quakes game, assistant coach Tony Cougoule can be reached at the Cougar baseball office at 626-815-6000, extension 3258. He can also be contacted via email at tcougoule@apu.edu.