Phoenix, AZ- Arizona Christian opened their 2016 season on Thursday with a 4-2 loss to College of Idaho.  Senior Christopher Burks drove in both runs.  Sophomore Michael Dunnebecke opened his season going 2-3 with a run scored.

After seeing their first seven hitters go down in order, the Firestorm (0-1) produced three straight hits in the third inning to account for their two runs.  Junior Jacob Rodriguez doubled to left center for the first ACU hit of the year.  Dunnebecke singled into right and moved up into scoring position on the throw to the plate with Rodriguez staying at third.  Burks knocked a ball through the right side to drive home both Rodriguez and Dunnebecke and give ACU a 2-0 cushion.

On the defensive side, Senior Dean Jackson worked out of a pair jams with two on in the first three innings.  In the fourth inning, the Coyotes (1-0) notched two doubles to account for their first run.  COI tied the game at 2-2 in the sixth with a triple and sacrifice fly.

Jackson ended up throwing six innings with five strikeouts and no decision.

The top of the seventh saw the Firestorm struggle to find the strike zone.  The Coyotes cashed in their final two runs thanks to four walks by the ACU staff (one intentional) and a double.  Junior Austin Bright walked two of the three batters he faced and was charged with both runs and the loss. 

Senior Jack Sherman tossed an inning and two thirds without allowing a run.  Junior Van Woudenberg came through with a 1-2-3 ninth inning.

But after scoring the two runs in the third, Arizona Christian saw nine retired in a row before Junior Jake Howard broke the string with walk.

Singles in the eighth and ninth were left stranded.

On Friday, the same two teams will face off at the same time and place- 1:30 pm at Firestorm field.