Santa Clarita, CA – The Arizona Christian University baseball team (11-5, 1-1) split a double header to open up GSAC play against The Master's (11-4, 1-1) as they won the first game 13-4 and dropped the second one 5-1 at Lou Herwaldt Stadium on Friday in Santa Clarita, CA.

Series Notes:

With the split the Firestorm's record against the Mustangs moves to 16-36.

Game 1:

Sergio Heguertty (2-1) pitched 7 1/3 innings as he earned his second victory of the season, allowing four runs, three earned on eight hits while striking out three and walking one. Daniel Durazo led the Firestorm's offense going 3-for-6 with four RBIs.

After four scoreless innings the Firestorm got on the board first in the fifth inning as Justin Ramirez drove in a run on an infield single to make it 1-0. Durazo then doubled the lead on a base hit to centerfield to make it 2-0. The Mustangs though would answer in the bottom half of the inning with two runs to tie the game 2-2. The tied score wouldn't last long as the Firestorm put up a big inning in the top of the sixth. After a walk and a single Randen Garrison put the Firestorm back on top with a base hit to left to make it 3-2. The Firestorm would then load the bases and with two outs a hit batter brought in another run to make it 4-2. Durazo followed with a single that got by the center fielder allowing all runners to score as the Firestorm took a 7-2 lead.

On the mound Heguertty was cruising along into the eighth inning but then allowed three straight hits leading to two runs as the Mustangs pulled back within 7-4. Eli Elliot would then come out of the bullpen to prevent any more runs. The Firestorm offense also wasn't done as they put up another big number in the ninth. After a single to start the inning Manny Villa delivered an RBI double to center to give the Firestorm an 8-4 lead. The Firestorm would then load the bases with nobody out before Garrison delivered another RBI knock to make it 9-4. An error and a bases loaded walk would then increase the lead to 11-4. Durazo then singled to drive in another run and Troy Collins followed with a pinch hit RBI single to make it 13-4. Elliot then shut down the Mustangs in the ninth striking out two as the Firestorm snapped a three game slide.

Inside the Box Score:

Durazo: 3-for-6, 4 RBIs

Ramirez: 2-for-4, 3 RBIs

Garrison: 2-for-4, 2 RBIs

Villa: 1-for-4, RBI

Collins: 1-for-1, RBI

Game 2:

Evan Massie (1-1) got the start and took the loss pitching 5 1/3 innings while allowing five runs on five hits while striking out four and walking one. Manny Villa led the Firestorm's offense going 1-for-3 with an RBI.

The Mustangs got on the board first this time via a home run as they took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second. They would then tack on two more runs in the third to increase their lead to 3-0. The Firestorm didn't give up as the game moved into the later innings and they eventually broke through in the sixth. With two outs Manny Villa delivered a clutch two out RBI single to make it 3-1. The Mustangs would quickly answer though in the bottom half of the inning as they scored two more runs to go up 5-1. The Firestorm had one last chance to start a rally in the seventh but were unable to break through as they fell 5-1.

Inside the Box Score:

Villa: 1-for-3, RBI

Thoughts from Coach:

After the game Head Coach Joe McDonald stated, "I was proud of the way that we showed up ready to compete today and for the opening weekend of GSAC play. We got some really good pitching performances today and the energy was good and we will be ready to go again tomorrow."

Up Next:

The Firestorm wrap up their four game series against The Master's tomorrow February 19 with another double header beginning at 12:00pm Arizona time.