Phoenix, AZ- ACU Baseball opened a three game series with Bethesda in impressive fashion as they exploded for 13 runs in the sixth inning on their way to a 17-4 victory on Friday.  Seniors Jacob Rodriguez and Jake Howard along with Junior Jonathan Nunnally, Jr. all homered in the win.

The game began very unassuming in regards to scoring.  Junior Dom Rodriguez scored on a Nunnally sacrifice fly in the third.  The Flames (18-14) moved in front 3-1 after three runs in the fourth.  In the fifth, Senior Jose Pereyda produced an RBI double before Howard brought him home with an RBI single to tie the game at 3-3.

After a scoreless top of the sixth, Junior Matt Mara walked to light the wick on the dynamite ready to explode.  Following an out, D. Rodriguez singled, Junior Marco Castilla doubled home two, Senior Hector Ortiz doubled in Castilla, Nunnally singled, and then Howard launched his second home run of the season.  Three batters later- after a hit batter and walk- an error kept the inning alive.  A single, another hit batter, and single made it an 11 run inning.  Nunnally finished off the 13 run scoring barrage with his team leading 11th home run of the season.

Each team scored a run after the outburst- ACU on home run number four for J. Rodriguez- to account for the final 17-4 score.

Juniors Bobby Moretti (who earned the win and is now 4-5), Laurens Oele, and Gary Sheffield all threw an inning of scoreless relief.

On Saturday, the Firestorm (21-17) and Flames will meet again for two games.  First pitch of the double header is scheduled for 11:00 am at Firestorm Field.