Waddell, AZ – The Arizona Christian University baseball team (15-6, 4-2) came from behind as they swept a doubleheader against OUAZ (6-8, 2-4) as they won the first game 6-3 and came from behind to win on a walk off 8-7 in 8 innings in the second game on Friday evening at Canyon View High School.

Series Notes:

With the sweep the Firestorm improve their record against OUAZ to 25-8.

Game 1:

Sergio Heguertty (3-1) earned his third victory of the season pitching seven innings while allowing three runs, two earned on five hits while striking out six and walking one. Eli Elliot picked up his first save allowing no hits over the final two innings while striking out four. Caleb Beach led the Firestorm's offense going 1-for-3 with two RBIs.

The game was scoreless until the bottom of the second when the Firestorm opened the scoring. With two outs Sean Garcia tripled and Kurtis Roberts followed with a double over the head of the centerfielder to make it 1-0. It stayed that way until the seventh when the Spirit finally got to Heguertty scoring two runs after a botched double play to take the lead at 2-1.

The Spirit's lead wouldn't last long though as the Firestorm struck back in the bottom half of the seventh. After Garcia doubled to lead off the inning, Caleb Beach stepped up big and brought him home on a single up the middle to tie the game 2-2. Beach would then score the go ahead run on a wild pitch to make it 3-2. Manny Villa then followed with a sac fly to increase the Firestorm lead to 4-2. Heguertty would then depart in the eighth after the Spirit pulled a run back to make it 4-3. The Firestorm would tack on two more insurance runs in the bottom half of the inning on a single by Garcia and a sac bunt by Beach to make it 6-4. Elliot who came in and got the last three outs of the eighth finished the game off in the ninth as the Firestorm took game one.

Inside the Box Score:

Beach: 1-for-3, 2 RBIs

Roberts: 3-for-4, RBI

Garcia: 3-for-4, RBI

Villa: 1-for-3, RBI

Game 2:

Jordan Vickers got the start and pitched just 2 2/3 innings while allowing five earned runs on five hits while striking out one and walking one. Trey Tarver (4-1) picked up the win in relief pitching one hitless inning while striking out three. Oliver Frias picked up the game winning hit while going 3-for-5 with 2 RBIs.

The Spirit got on the board first this time as they got to Vickers early scoring three runs to take a 3-0 lead in the top of the second. The Spirit would get two more runs in the next inning on a double play and a balk to take a 5-0 lead. The Firestorm didn't give up though as they fought back in the bottom of the fourth. With two on and nobody out the Firestorm pulled a run back on a fielder's choice by Sean Garcia to make it 5-1. Then Justin Ramirez who had been quiet all day got his first hit as he crushed a two run home run down the left field line to pull the Firestorm within 5-3.

The Spirit quickly responded in the top of the fifth as they scored two more runs to increase their lead to 7-3. Chase Martinez and Brett Wagner would then come in in relief and pitch two scoreless innings as the Firestorm headed to the bottom of the seventh trailing by four. The Firestorm would quickly load the bases with nobody out as they looked to get back in the game. Oliver Frias then dropped a single into center to cut the lead to 7-4. The Firestorm would then get two bases loaded walks from Marques Titialli and Troy Collins to cut the deficit to 7-6. Garcia would then tie the game on a ground to second to make it 7-7. The Firestorm couldn't get any more runs in the inning though as the game headed to extras.

Trey Tarver would come in and pitch the eighth striking out the side and giving the Firestorm another chance to win it in the bottom half. With one and one out Oliver Frias stepped up to the plate and lined a double into the gap as the Firestorm walked off with an 8-7 victory and the doubleheader sweep.

Inside the Box Score:

Frias: 3-for-4, 2 RBIs

Ramirez: 1-for-5, 2 RBIs, HR

Garcia: 0-for-3, 2 RBIs

Titialli: 1-for-3, RBI

Collins: 0-for-1, RBI

Thoughts from Coach:

After the game Head Coach Joe McDonald stated, "I'm really proud of this team and our resiliency to play every pitch. Sometimes you just have to grind and grind and that's exactly what we did to be able to come out with a doubleheader sweep today. Tomorrow's another big day and we have to be ready to go."

Up Next:

The Firestorm wrap up their four game series against OUAZ tomorrow February 26 with another double header beginning at 4:00pm Arizona time at Canyon View High School in Waddell, AZ.