Waddell, AZ – The Arizona Christian University baseball team (10-4) lost their third game in a row as they fell 15-5 to Embry-Riddle (AZ) (7-8) at Canyon View High School on Tuesday evening in Waddell, AZ.

Series Notes:

This is the Firestorm's first loss in their first game against the Eagles.

The Game:

Roy Washburn got his first start of the season pitching 4 1/3 innings while allowing three runs on six hits. Chase Martinez (1-1) took the loss in relief pitching 1/3 innings while allowing four runs, one earned on one hit while striking out one and walking two. Justin Ramirez led the offense going 3-for-4 with 2 RBIs and a home run.

It was a close game from the start as the Firestorm opened the scoring in the bottom of the first as Justin Ramirez scored on a stolen base and an error to make it 1-0. The Eagles though would quickly tie the game on a leadoff solo home run to make it 1-1. The Eagles would then take the lead on a triple as they went up 2-1 in the third inning. This time it was the Firestorm's turn to fight back and they did in the bottom half of the inning. After Kurtis Roberts walked Ramirez would deliver his second hit of the game as he crushed a home run to left field to put the Firestorm back on top 3-2.

That lead would last until the fifth inning when the Firestorm ran into trouble as they allowed five runs with the majority coming on an error as the Eagles retook the lead at 7-3. Things would get worse in the sixth inning as the Eagles put four more runs to extend their advantage to 11-3. Brett Wagner would then come in in relief and prevent any more damage in the seventh. However the Eagles would strike for three more in the next inning to make it 14-3. The Firestorm would pull a run back in the eighth on a fielder's choice by Troy Collins to make it 14-4. The teams would then both score one more run as the Firestorm fell 15-5.  

Inside the Box Score:

Ramirez: 3-for-4, 2 RBIs, HR

Collins: 0-for-1, RBI

Thoughts From Coach:

After the game Coach Joe McDonald stated, "The last few games we just haven't been taking care of the little things and have not been fully prepared to play nine innings and that's on me. We will continue to learn and grow together and be ready to go four our conference opener this weekend. We are a good ball club that have just found a little rut in the season and we'll definitely climb right back out of it and be stronger because of it and because we'll do all of this together."

Up Next:

The Firestorm open up GSAC play on the road as they take on The Master's in a four game series beginning with a doubleheader on Friday, February 18 at 11:00 AM in Santa Clarita, CA.