Waddell, AZ – The Arizona Christian University baseball team (4-0) swept its first two games at the Coach Calderone Invitational as they pounded Eastern Oregon (0-3) 18-3 and then edged past Kansas Wesleyan (0-4) 5-3 in a pitcher's duel at Canyon View High School on Thursday afternoon in Waddell, AZ.

Series Notes:

The Firestorm took down Eastern Oregon in their first ever matchup and improved their record against Kansas Wesleyan to 2-0 after last playing and defeating them in 2012.

Game 1:

Evan Massie (1-0) pitched 5 innings as he earned the victory in his season debut, recording seven strikeouts while allowing one earned run and three hits with just two walks. Oliver Frias led the Firestorm's offense going 2-for-4 with three RBIs.

The Firestorm found themselves in early trouble as they committed two errors leading to three runs as the Mountaineers took an early 3-0 lead. The Firestorm slowly pulled themselves back into the game as they got on the board in the second inning on an RBI groundout by Randen Garrison to make it 3-1. The Firestorm then tied the game in the third on an error and a fielder's choice to make it 3-3. Frias then crushed a 3-run home run in the fourth to put the Firestorm up 6-3. From there the Firestorm's offense continued to produce as they put up three runs in the bottom of the fifth and sixth innings as they expanded their lead to 12-3. The Firestorm continued to dominate late on as they put up six runs in the eighth inning as they ran away with an 18-3 win. Eli Elliot, Chase Martinez and Cade Mousel each came in and pitched an inning or more in relief combining to allow just one hit in four innings.

Inside the Box Score:

Frias: 2-for-4, HR, three RBIs

Villa: 2-for-4, three RBIs

Garrison: 2-for-5, three RBIs

Sean Garcia: 1-for-2, RBI

Cody McGaha: 1-for-1, RBI

Daniel Durazo: 0-for-4, RBI

Riley Quinton: 1-for-3, RBI

Damien McElroy: 2-for-5, RBI

Game 2:

Jordan Vickers got the start pitching just three innings while allowing six hits and one earned run while striking out four. Koju Sasaki (1-0) came in and pitched five innings of a relief as he earned the victory, recording seven strikeouts while allowing one earned run and two hits with just two walks. Trey Tarver then picked up his first save of the season allowing just one hit and striking out two in the ninth. Justin Ramirez led the Firestorm's offense going 2-for-4 with one RBI.

Unlike the previous game this one proved to be a pitchers' duel as neither team allowed much offense. The Coyotes would get on the board first on a home run as they took a 1-0 lead at the end of the second inning. They would tack on one more run in the third on an error as they pushed their lead to 2-0. The Firestorm though found an unconventional way to tie the game as they scored two runs on a wild pitch and a passed ball in the bottom half of the inning to make it 2-2 which is where the score would stay until the fifth inning. The Firestorm would then take the lead as Justin Ramirez ripped a single into left field to make it 3-2. The Firestorm would then tack on two more runs in the sixth on a sacrifice fly by Caleb Beach and a wild pitch to make it 5-2. The Coyotes didn't give up though and pulled a run back in the eighth but it was to late as Tarver came in and shutdown any attempt at a comeback picking up the save in a 5-3 victory.

Inside the Box Score:

Ramirez: 2-for-4, RBI

Beach: 2-for-2, RBI

Marques Titialli: 2-for-2, stolen base

Thoughts from Coach:

After the game Head Coach Joe McDonald stated, "I'm really proud of the way our guys responded to adversity today and we had some big plays defensively and some pitchers really step up along with once again some timely hitting. The energy from the dugout was contagious and it was a great couple wins honoring an amazing man."

Up Next:

The Firestorm continue the Coach Calderone Invitational tomorrow against Taylor University at Canyon View High School in Waddell, AZ at 6:30 PM Arizona Time.