Placentia, CA- The first two games of their extended weekend of five games saw the Firestorm explode for 28 runs and 32 hits.  On Thursday, Arizona Christian beat Providence Christian 17-11.  On Friday, ACU mounted a comeback in their 11-8 win over Hope International.

In the first inning on Thursday, the Firestorm (12-5, 3-1 GSAC) exploded out of the gate with a seven run inning highlighted by back-to-back doubles by Juniors Dom Rodriguez and Michael Dunnebecke to begin the game and a three run triple from Senior Jose Pereyda.

After surrendering a run in the bottom of the first, ACU put together a five run inning in the top of the third.  Senior Hector Ortiz doubled down the left field line to drive in a run and Senior Jake Howard produced an RBI single in the middle of the outburst.

Senior Harris Lyons started the top of the fourth with a home run to left as Arizona Christian pushed ahead 13-3.

A three run bomb in the eighth from Senior Jacob Rodriguez capped the scoring for the Firestorm.

Senior Chris Paulson started the game but only went four innings so Junior Gary Sheffield collected the win as the first arm to the mound in relief.  Junior Sam Landes threw a no run eighth.

On Friday, Arizona Christian fell behind 6-0 at Hope International before rallying with a seven run fourth inning.  The Firestorm did all their scoring in the inning with the benefit of just one extra base hit- a two run double for Howard.

The Royals (7-3, 5-2 GSAC) tied the game at 7-7 to chase starter Senior Dillon Eaves who struggled with his command as he walked eight in his 3.2 innings of work.  Five of the free passes came around to score.

In the top of the sixth, ACU broke the tie with a four spot.  A three run blast to left off the bat of Jonathan Nunnally, Jr. accounted for the game winning runs.

HIU plated a single run in the sixth- which turned out to be the final tally of the game.

The four relievers of Senior Austin Bright (who was credited with the win), Sophomore Baylor Giannini, Junior Anthony Pins, and Senior Joel Klinkhammer did their jobs as they combined to allow just one run in the final 5.1 innings of the contest.

Head Coach Bill Swift stated about the HIU game, "It was a crazy, great comeback!  The bullpen kept us in the game.  Guys just keep their heads up and battled.  Huge homerun by Nunnally.  Like I said the bullpen was amazing!"

The Firestorm and Royals will finish off their three game series with a double header on Saturday at Valencia High School.  First pitch is set for 11:00 am Arizona Time/ 12:00 pm AT.