SANTA CLARITA, Calif. - Led by third-year Head Coach Joe McDonald, the Arizona Christian University baseball team (5-3) split its double header with The Master's University (5-1) Friday afternoon, dropping game one, 10-4 while winning game two, 3-2.  

Series/Game Notes:

The Master's leads ACU in the all-time series 10-30 after the split and has taken the last six out of 10 games played between the two teams.

Both of Friday's games were played as seven-inning games as previously decided upon by both teams.

Game One:

The Master's scored in bunches in game one, plating four runs in the first and three runs in each the second and fourth innings to pull away from the Firestorm, who managed to score just four hits on nine hits in the contest.

Both teams were even with nine hits in the contest and both teams also left eight runners stranded.  ACU's Ramon Miranda hit his fourth home run of the season, currently tied for second in the nation. 

Lefty starting pitcher Brett Wagner took the loss after allowing seven runs on four hits across 1-1/3 innings, walking three and striking out three.  Three relievers combined to toss the final 4-2/3 innings and allowed three runs on five hits while walking two and striking out three.

Inside the Box Score:

• Miranda: 2-for-4, home run, two RBI, one run scored

• Brent Smith: 3-for-4, triple, RBI, one run scored

• Manny Villa: 1-for-4, RBI

Game Two:

There was far less offense in game two, but ACU got things started early by bringing across a run in the first inning on a solo blast by Justen Burkey.  The Firestorm would increase their lead to 2-0 in the third inning on a Justin Ramirez RBI single, but the Mustangs would answer ACU in their half of the third, scoring two runs to tie things up.

ACU would score its final run of the contest in the fourth to break the however on an RBI groundout by Ty Isbell, and after holding the Master's scoreless for the remainder of the game, the Firestorm would escape with the narrow, 3-2 victory.

The victory was aided by a strong performance by ACU starter Trevor McGee, who earned his first victory of the young season by going 5-1/3 innings, allowing two runs on four hits while punching out six batters.  Reliever Anthony Defrancesco closed the door with a scoreless seventh to earn the save.

Inside the Box Score:

Burkey: 2-for-3, home run, RBI, one run scored

Ramirez: 1-for-4, RBI

Villa: 1-for-3, double, one run scored 

Kurtis Roberts: 2-for-3

Thoughts from Coach: 

Assistant Head Coach Josh Milner said after the games, "Any time you go on the road against another GSAC school you know it will be tough.  Our pitchers threw more strikes than they had coming into today than previously and we will continue to build on that.  We plan on having a good day tomorrow and putting it all together."

Up Next:

The Firestorm play a twin bill at The Master's on Sat., Feb. 6 beginning at 11 a.m. Arizona Time in Santa Clarita, Calif.