Waddell, AZ – The Arizona Christian University baseball team (6-0) continued their unbeaten run as they came from behind to upset No. 22 MidAmerica Nazarene (2-1) 11-4 at Canyon View High School on Friday evening in Waddell, AZ to close out the Coach Calderone Invite.

Series Notes:

This was the Firestorm's first victory in their first appearance against the Pioneers

The Game:

Jackson Hohensee got the start and pitched 3 2/3 innings, allowing four earned runs and six hits while recording five strikeouts and just one walk. Chase Martinez (1-0) picked up the victory in relief pitching 2 1/3 innings while allowing just one hit while striking out two and walking three. Manny Villa led the Firestorm's offense going 2-for-4 with two RBIs.

The Firestorm got to the Pioneers early as they scored on a fielder's choice before Villa and Marques Titialli crushed back-to-back doubles to put the Firestorm up 3-0 at the end of the first inning. The Pioneers though would get to Hohensee in the third inning as they scored three runs thanks to three RBI singles to tie the game 3-3 at the end of the third. They weren't done though as they took a 4-3 lead in the top of the fourth on an RBI single after chasing Hohensee from the game. Martinez then limited the damage as he came up with a big strikeout to end the inning.

It would then only take the Firestorm one more inning to get back in the game as they put up seven runs in the bottom of the fifth. After back-to-back singles Justin Ramirez delivered a perfect bunt single to make it 4-4 and then Daniel Durazo followed with an RBI single to put the Firestorm back on top 5-4. Then with two outs Villa crushed another double to make it 6-4. The Firestorm then blew the game wide open as Brandon Lees hit a long fly ball with the bases loaded that the Pioneer's left fielder lost in the lights allowing all three runs to score as the Firestorm took a commanding 9-4 advantage. They would tack on one more run on another error as they took a 10-4 lead into the sixth inning.

Firestorm pitching then shutdown the Pioneers the rest of the way as Martinez allowed just one hit before giving way to Roy Washburn. Washburn pitched the final three innings allowing no hits while striking out five including the last three batters of the game as the Firestorm went on to win 11-4 running their win streak to six games.

Inside the Box Score:

Villa: 2-for-4, 2 RBIs

Ramirez: 3-for-5, RBI

Durazo: 2-for-3, RBI

Campillo: 0-for-4, RBI

Titialli: 1-for-2, RBI

Thoughts from Coach:

After the game Head Coach Joe McDonald stated, "We really did a good job tonight battling with two strikes at the plate. Our defense once again played solid and pitchers came through with not only making big pitches in some tough situations but just continuing to pound the zone. It was a really good week for us that we will enjoy and be ready to go back to work on Monday."

Up Next:

The Firestorm continue play at home against No. 4 Lewis-Clark State on Wednesday, February 2 at Canyon View High School in Waddell, AZ at 6:00 PM Arizona Time.