Phoenix, AZ- With varying rain levels falling throughout the day, Arizona Christian opened their 2017 season with a 12-3 win and a game that was suspended as a tie until a later date against Benedictine-Mesa.  Senior Chance Randall doubled, homered, and drove in four to lead the Firestorm.

The Firestorm (1-0) came out swinging to begin their year.  Juniors Michael Dunnebecke and Marco Castilla collected back-to-back hits with Castilla's hugging the right field line and carrying out of the park.   Three batters later, Junior Kyle Robbins, Randall, and Junior Jonathan Nunnally, Jr. produced a single, double, and single to plate two more runs in the first.

Following two unearned runs in the third, ACU put up another four spot in the fifth.  A double by Senior Hector Ortiz highlighted the two run effort in the sixth.

Senior Dillon Eaves collected the win after tossing five innings- allowing just one earned run.  Junior Bobby Moretti threw two scoreless innings to end the game.

Game two started just as promising as Arizona Christian plated four in the first inning.  Junior Matt Mara scored as Ortiz safely navigated his way through a pickle.  Senior Jose Pereyda walked before Randall launched a three run shot over the left field wall.

The Redhawks (0-1) scored what seemed to a harmless run in the third.  But it turned out to be a huge run.

Holding the 4-1 edge into the top of the fifth and the rain falling heavier on Firestorm Field, ACU needed three outs to make the game official.   But with a three run homer by Benedictine tied the game at 4-4.  By the top of the sixth, the rain had reached pouring stage.

The game was suspended after the top of the sixth still knotted at 4-4.  The game will be resumed in the bottom of the sixth when Benedictine is scheduled to revisit Arizona Christian later in the year.

Saturday's games have already been deemed as rainouts.  The Firestorm will in action again on Thursday at home as they open a four game series with College of Idaho.  First pitch is set for 2:00 pm.