Phoenix, AZ- On the strength of three home runs, two triples, and four doubles, Arizona Christian swept their twin bill against Hope International with scores of 16-3 and 7-5 on Saturday.  Juniors Kai Davis, Dave Grubaugh, and Jake Howard all homered for the Firestorm.

In the first inning of the opener, the Firestorm (6-8, 5-4 GSAC) scored two runs on two walks and two singles.

ACU tacked on five runs in the third after sending 11 men to the plate.  Howard, Senior Jake Wakamatsu, and Senior AJ Arroyo all doubled.  Wakamatsu and Arroyo both drove in two runs as Senior Christopher Burks capped the scoring with an RBI single.

In the sixth, they tacked on four more runs before exploding for their final five runs in the eighth.  Their five run effort was highlighted by Grubaugh launching his first home run of the season- a three run shot to left.

Junior Andrew Mirasty had his best showing of the season by throwing 6.2 innings while surrendering single runs in the second and seventh.  Freshmen Cody Collins and Baylor Giannini pitched the final 2.1 innings allowing just one run.

Game two started as a slugfest as Titus Carlson leadoff the game with a home run to left for HIU.  The Royals (9-10-1, 4-5 GSAC) plated two more runs after the next two batters reached with a single and double followed by a sacrifice fly to grab an 3-0 lead.

However, Arizona Christina countered with a four run bottom of the first as Howard launched a monster three run blast.

Hope International tied the game at 4-4 before ACU answered with an RBI from Senior Jacob Rodriguez to drive home Senior Tate Erickson to move back ahead 5-4.

In the sixth, Martin Teague tied the game at five with a smashed home run to center.

But in the bottom of the sixth inning, Sophomore Michael Dunnebecke found a cap in the right center and raced his way to a triple.  Arroyo lifted a sacrifice fly to center to bring home Dunnebecke.  Four pitches later, Davis put a charge into a pitch for a home run over the left field fence to finalize the scoring.

Junior Tatum Hendrix worked his way out of early trouble to hang around long enough to throw 5.2 innings with seven strikeouts.  Sophomore Wade Mason secured the final out of the sixth before also throwing the seventh without allowing a run to earn his first win of the season.

On Monday, the Firestorm will turn right around and host Providence Christian for a twin bill beginning at 11:00 am (AT)/ 10:00 am (PT).