Fullerton, CA- On Friday, Arizona Christian softball swept No. 7 Hope International thanks to the long ball as all 11 ACU runs scored via home run.  Junior Bri Lopez homered twice (including a grand slam) and produced six RBI- which both tied an ACU single game record.  Junior Paige Church also hit a grand slam.

Game Info

• Game one score: Arizona Christian - 6, Hope International - 2
• Game two score: Arizona Christian - 5, Hope International - 1
• Records: Arizona Christian – 24-14, 8-10 GSAC, Hope International – 33-8, 13-3 GSAC
• NAIA Top 25 ranking: Arizona Christian – receiving votes, Hope International – 7
• Location: Bastanchury Park, Fullerton, CA

ACU Game One Stats

• Bri Lopez- 2-4, 2 HR- grand slam, 6 RBI
• Elsy Guzman- 3-4
• Payton Carli- 2-4, run
• Emerald Grijalva- compete game win, two earned runs

Inside Game One

• HIU scored two runs in the bottom of the first
• Adria Garcia walked, Kirsten Garcia pinch ran, and Lopez delivered her first ACU home run for a 2-2 tie in the top of the second
• The top of third, P. Carli and Guzman singled, A. Garcia walked again, and Lopez connected on a grand slam
• Despite allowing base runners in every inning but one, Grijalva (12-5) slammed the door and did not let another run score

ACU Game Two Stats

• Paige Church- 1-2, grand slam HR, 4 RBI
• Lani San Pedro- 2-3, HR, RBI
• Payton Carli- 2-3
• Bri Lopez- 2-2
• Hilaria Stewart- complete game win, one run

Inside Game Two

• The Royals again scored in the first inning
• In the second, A. Garcia walked, K. Garcia pinch ran, Lopez singled, Lauryn Nicander was hit by a pitch, and Church launched her team leading seventh home run- a grand slam
• San Pedro homered in the fourth- her fourth of the season
• Stewart (5-5) retired 16 of the last 19 batters she faced

Thoughts from Coach Welsh

"What a great day for Firestorm softball. I am so extremely proud of Emerald and Hilaria and how they stepped up today. I challenged the pitching staff greatly and they responded so well.  I'm so proud of them!"

Up Next

On Saturday, Arizona Christian will face No. 12 Vanguard in Costa Mesa at 12:00 pm.