Phoenix, AZ- In baseball a high percentage of the time the team that has the most hits also scores the most runs.  That was not the case in either game of Saturday's double header between Arizona Christian and College of Idaho.  ACU collected more hits in both games but COI swept the twin bill 11-4 and 3-1.  Senior Tate Erickson impressed by going 5-6 with two walks, a triple, a run scored, and an RBI on the day.

Sophomore Brett Swartz was effectively wild in the first inning as he walked two but struck out three swinging.  In the second inning, Swartz induced another swinging strikeout to start the inning but four of the next five batters reached and scored capped by a two run home run.

The Coyotes (4-0) were up 4-0 headed to the bottom of the third.  But Sophomore Michael Dunnebecke leadoff the inning with a double down the left field line, moved to third on single by Senior Christopher Burks, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Senior Tatum Hendrix.

In the fourth, the Firestorm (0-4) used two singles (one by Junior Chance Randall and one by Junior Hector Ortiz), a fielding error, and a ground out by Dunnebecke to score two runs.  One inning later, Hendrix doubled to left and came in to score on an RBI single off the bat of Erickson to tie the game at 4-4.

But College of Idaho responded with a run in the sixth, three in the seventh, and three in the eight.  Arizona managed just three runners in the final four innings which included leaving runners on the corners in the sixth.

Swartz pitched six innings and struck out seven but issued five walks, allowed five runs (four earned), and took the loss.

Sophomore Baylor Giannini made his Firestorm debut and threw the final two innings allowing one unearned run while striking out three.

ACU outhit COI 11-10 in the morning game.

In the afternoon cap, College of Idaho used a double, single, pass ball, two hit batters, and wild pitch to plate two runs in the first inning. 

Hendrix found his groove and retired the next eight batters he faced.  A dropped ball in the outfield broke that string and two batters later a sacrifice fly brought home the unearned run.

Offensively, the Firestorm out hit the Coyotes 9-4 but could only muster one run.  They stranded the bases loaded in the first.  ACU left two runners on base in three of the final six innings.  In all they left 10 runners on base.  The only run for Arizona Christian came in the third when Erickson tripled to right center and was granted home when the throw to third skipped out of play.

Despite pitching five innings, striking out five without a walk, and allowing just three runs (only one earned), Hendrix was handed the loss.

Sophomore Wade Mason made his season debut and pitched the final two innings giving up just one hit.

The Firestorm now have almost two weeks off before they play again.  They will next be in action on Friday, February 12, with the start of GSAC play as they head to San Diego Christian.  The weekend series will be played at Grossmont College in El Cajon.  First pitch on Friday is set for 3:00 pm AT/ 2:00 pm PT.