WADDELL, Ariz. - Led by third-year Head Coach Joe McDonald, the Arizona Christian University baseball team (3-2) lost game one of its twin bill to Taylor University (5-2), 8-7, and won its second game against Midland University (3-4), 7-5 Saturday evening at Canyon View High School.

Game Notes:

ACU was originally scheduled to play just one game on Saturday, but due to rain on the previous day and a tight travel schedule for opponents, the Firestorm pivoted quickly to change their schedule, picking up an additional game in the process. 

The loss gives Taylor the advantage in the all-time series, 2-1.  

The win breaks a tie with Midland as the Firestorm now lead the all-time series, 2-1.

Game One (ACU vs. Taylor RV):

Taylor opened the scoring with a three-run second inning that included a pair of doubles.  ACU added its first run in the home half of the second, but quickly found itself in a 6-1 hole entering the sixth as Taylor added one run in the fourth and two in the fifth.

The Firestorm added two runs in the sixth on a solo shot from Justen Burkey, his first of the year, and an RBI double off the bat of Robby Campillo to shrink Taylor's lead to 6-3 after six.

Taylor would add one run in the seventh, but in the bottom half of the inning, ACU would close the gap even more after plating three runs to narrow Taylor's lead to 7-6.  Taylor would add its final run in the eighth, and despite ACU's late comeback attempt in the ninth, it would fall one run shy in the 8-7 loss.

ACU starting pitcher Chase Martinez (0-1) went 4-1/3 innings and allowed five earned runs on five hits while walking two.  Lefty reliever Brett Wagner pitched 2-2/3 innings and allowed one run on two hits with three walks and five strikeouts, and righty Anthony Defrancesco pitched the final two innings, allowing one run on one hit while allowing one walk to four strikeouts. 

Inside the Box Score:

• Burkey: 2-for-4, home run (1), double, three runs, two RBI, one walk 

• Campillo: 2-for-5, double, RBI

• Randen Garrison: 2-for-5, double, two RBI, stolen base

• Ramon Miranda: 2-for-5, triple, one run scored, RBI, stolen base 

• Brent Smith: 2-for-4, one run scored

Game Two (ACU vs. Midland University):

Midland scored first with a pair of runs in the first inning, but the Firestorm would score early and often, plating three runs in the first, also adding one run in second, third, and fourth inning to take a 6-3 lead into the fifth.

ACU's relievers held Midland to just one run after the fourth inning and would take a 7-5 lead into the final inning where ACU reliever Alec Ivanoff would slam the door to earn the save, allowing just one walk while punching out two in a scoreless ninth.

Inside the Box Score:

• Smith: 3-for-4, double, one run scored

• Burkey: 2-for-3, two RBI, two walks, one run scored 

• Miranda: 1-for-4, home run (3), RBI, run scored

• Justin Ramirez: 2-for-4, three runs scored, two stolen bases, one walk

Thoughts from Coach: 

"I was really proud of the way we battled and fought all day.  We bounced back after a hard-fought loss to a quality team like Taylor to show some really good pitching and defense against a scrappy Midland team in a win.  Our guys just continue to get better each day together as a family."

Up Next:

The Firestorm host Ottawa University - Arizona (OUAZ) for a non-conference game on Tues., Feb. 2 at 6 p.m. Arizona Time at Apollo High School in Glendale, Ariz.  Spectators are not allowed.