Phoenix, AZ- Looking to climb back into the playoff race, Arizona Christian shook up their pitching rotation to begin their series with Westmont on Friday.  In the end, it worked as a three run inning turned out to be all the scoring as ACU won 3-0.  Senior Joel Klinkhammer earned the win.  Junior Bobby Moretti collected the 12 out save.

Klinkhammer, traditionally a reliever, was given the starting nod.  He hit more batters (three) and walked more batters (two) than hits allowed (one) in his solid five innings of work.  Only two batters advanced to second.  In the third, a walk, stolen base, and popup put a Westmont runner at third with one out.  But Klinkhammer induced a double play to end the inning and threat.  He ended up with seven strikeouts.

Moretti, a starter almost all season, was called upon in relief in the sixth.  He earned his first save while scattering two hits and a hit batter over his four innings of work.  He concluded his effort with six strikeouts including one to finish the game.

Meanwhile offensively, the Firestorm (15-12, 6-8 GSAC) only managed six hits.  But in the second inning they connected the dots.  Senior Harris Lyons walked.  Senior Landon Teramoto pinch ran.  Junior Jonathan Nunnally, Jr. sent a drive over the left fence to deliver all the runs ACU pitching would require.  Junior Kyle Robbins followed with a single and then scored an unearned insurance run.

Daniel Butler for Westmont went the distance but took the loss in the end.

On Saturday, ACU and the Warriors (15-9, 6-5 GSAC) will wrap up their series with a double header beginning at 11:00 am at Firestorm Field.