Phoenix, AZ- Facing slim possibilities of reaching the GSAC playoffs, Arizona Christian had to win both games on Saturday.  Unfortunately, they lost both to Hope International with scores of 11-2 and 14-7 and will be unable to reach post season play.  Junior Dom Rodriguez had two doubles and two RBI.

Game one started off bad as the Royals (25-14, 16-10 GSAC) plated two runs in the first inning.  In the bottom of the first, Rodriguez walked and Junior Marco Castilla singled through the right side.  Rodriguez eventually scored on a wild pitch.

The Firestorm (24-22, 13-16 GSAC) would not collect another hit until the ninth inning off the bat of Senior Zach Vogel.  ACU added a run in the fourth on an error, walk, stolen base, and double play ball.

Meanwhile HIU scored one in the third, four in the fourth (on just two hits), and a pair of runs in the sixth and eighth.

Senior Van Woudenberg- making his season debut- and Freshman Tyler Domene were the only two ACU pitchers on the day not to give up a run.

Hope International began game two with two runs in the top of the first.

Arizona Christian appeared like they had taken over the game when they put up a seven spot in the second inning.  Junior Kyle Robbins started the inning with a walk.  Senior Jacob Rodriguez doubled inside the right field line.  Junior Michael Dunnebecke reached on a fielder's choice as pinch runner Landon Teramoto scored on an error at the plate.  Junior Gary Sheffield doubled to left to score two.  D. Rodriguez traded places with Sheffield with a double of his own.  Castilla reached on error.  Senior Hector Ortiz walked.  Junior Jonathan Nunnally, Jr. doubled in a pair to finish the ACU scoring.

ACU would not score again despite stranding runners in every inning but one.

The Royals chipped away two-by-two with a pair of runs in the third, fifth, and sixth (a two run home run gave HIU an 8-7 edge).  They put the game out of reach with a six run seventh.

ACU wrapped up their GSAC play for the season with the HIU series.  Technically, the Firestorm currently only sit one win out of the final playoff spot with one final potential GSAC game for ACU that could be played- a rainout makeup with William Jessup.  However, The Master's has one more GSAC series next week against William Jessup and would hold the tie break with ACU regardless because they took two of three from Arizona Christian during the season.

The Firestorm will conclude their 2017 campaign with four non-conference games next week.  The week will begin with a game against Benedictine-Mesa on Tuesday at 3:00 pm at Firestorm Field.