Phoenix, AZ - ACU barely lost the first game by a ninth inning run from Hope International in the 5-4 loss. In the second game, the Firestorm were able to bounce back and win 9-4 with the help of a seven run sixth inning.

Game Info

• Game One Score: Hope International - 5, Arizona Christian - 4
• Game Two Score: Arizona Christian - 9, Hope International – 4 (seven innings)
• Records: Arizona Christian – 9-9, 2-2 GSAC, Hope International 13-4, 4-2 GSAC
• NAIA Top 25 ranking: Arizona Christian – not ranked, Hope International – not ranked
• Location: Firestorm Field, Arizona Christian University, Phoenix, AZ

ACU Game One Stats

• Michael Diffley - 2-4, homerun, 3 RBI
• Eric Schwalbe - 2-4, double
• Christian Maggi - 1-4, run
• Cohen Heckethorn - 0-2, run

Inside Game One

• Heckethorn was hit by a pitch, stole a base, and ended up scoring on a wild pitch in the first inning
• In the sixth inning, Maggi and Matt Asta singled, Brett Johnson pinch ran for Asta, and Diffley drilled a three run homer
• Hope International scored two in the fourth,  two in the eighth, and one in the ninth to give them the win
• ACU was outhit 12-6

ACU Game Two Stats

• Jake Sim - 2-2, run, RBI, walk
• Justen Burkey - 2-3, run, 2 RBI, 2 doubles
• Christian Maggi - 2-4, 2 RBI, 2 doubles
• Eric Schwalbe - 1-2, run, RBI
• Robert Bostedt - 1-3, run, RBI
• Brent Smith - 1-3, run
• Alec Ivanoff- 1.2 IP, no runs, win

Inside Game Two

• In the first inning, Diffley was hit by a pitch, was driven in by a double from Burkey, before Schwalbe scored Burkey with a single
• In the sixth, seven runs were scored. Asta, Johnson, Sim, Schwalbe, Smith, and Cohen Heckethorn all scored
• ACU outhit Hope International 10-5

Thoughts from Coach McDonald

"Our approach at the plate today was really something we have been working towards getting too and I am proud of our hitters and what they brought in each and every at bat our pitching staff did a great job giving us a chance to win and working their way out of some tough situations.  It was a great day of baseball and we look forward to another clean doubleheader tomorrow."

Up Next

On Saturday, the Firestorm play their second doubleheader against Hope International.  First pitch at Firestorm Field will be at 11:00 am.