Waddell, AZ – The Arizona Christian University baseball team (17-6, 6-2) came from behind in game one and earned their first shutout win of the season in game two as they swept the second doubleheader against OUAZ (6-10, 2-6) as they won the first game 20-12 and the second 8-0 on Saturday evening at Canyon View High School.

Series Notes:

With the sweep the Firestorm improve their record against OUAZ to 27-8.

Game 1:

Evan Massie got the start and pitched four innings while allowing seven runs, three earned on five hits while striking out two and walking one. Eli Elliot picked up the win in relief pitching two innings allowing no hits while walking three and striking out three. Justin Ramirez led the Firestorm's offense going 3-for-4 with four RBIs including a home run.

The Spirit got to Massie early as they took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning on two run home run. The Firestorm would answer in the bottom of the second as they scored two runs on an error and an RBI single by Justin Ramirez to tie at 2-2. The Spirit would retake the lead in the top of the fourth as they struck for two runs to make it 4-2. They would then score three more in the fifth to take a 7-2 advantage.

The Firestorm regrouped in the bottom half of the inning and stormed back to take the lead with one of the highest scoring innings you'll see in baseball. The Firestorm quickly loaded the bases to start the inning and brought home the first run on a strike out wild pitch to make it 7-3. The Firestorm would then score two more runs on an error forced by Robby Campillo to make it 7-5. Oliver Frias would then rip a double into center field to make it 7-6. Marques Titialli the singled up the middle to tie the game at 7-7. Randen Garrison then crushed a two run home run to left field to put the Firestorm up 9-7. The Firestorm didn't let up as three batters later Justin Ramirez blasted a three home run down the left field line to make it 12-7. Then with two outs Manny Villa crushed another home run to make it 13-7. The Firestorm would then load the bases again and score another run on a bases loaded walk by Garrison to make it 14-7. Kurtis Roberts would then follow with a base hit to center to put the Firestorm up 16-7. Caleb Beach would then lace a single into left field to drive in the Firestorm's 15th run of the inning as they took a 17-7 advantage.

The Spirit didn't give up the fight though as they put up two runs in the top of the seventh and three in the top of the eighth to pull withing 17-12. The Firestorm weren't done either though as Riley Quinton lined a bases clearing double down the left field line to put the Firestorm up 20-12. Griffin Baker then pitched a scoreless ninth inning while striking out two as the Firestorm took game one.

Inside the Box Score:

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

Quinton: 1-for-2, 3 RBIs

Garrison: 1-for-4, 3 RBIs, HR

Campillo: 1-for-4, 2 RBIs

Roberts: 1-for-3, 2 RBIs

Villa: 1-for-4, RBI, HR

Frias: 3-for-4, RBI

Titialli: 1-for-4, RBI

Beach: 2-for-2, RBI

Game 2:

Jackson Hohensee (1-1) picked up his first win of the season as he pitched 5 2/3 shutout innings while allowing just four hits and striking out 9. Sean Garcia and Caleb Beach led the Firestorm's offense both going 1-for-3 with 2 RBIs

The Firestorm got on the board first this time as Trey Tarver blasted a solo home run in the bottom of the second to make it 1-0. The Firestorm would then strike for two more in the top of the third on an error and a booming double by Daniel Durazo to make it 3-0. In the meantime Hohensee was cruising on the mound and ran into a little trouble in the fifth inning but Tarver came in and shut the door as the game headed to the bottom of the sixth inning with the Firestorm leading 3-0.

The Firestorm weren't done scoring though as they put up a big number in the bottom of the sixth. First Campillo lined a double down the right field line to make it 4-0. The Firestorm then loaded the bases for Sean Garcia who lined a single up the middle to drive in two more runs to increase the lead to 6-0. Then with two outs Beach added to the score with a double down the left field line to make it 8-0. Tarver would then finish off the game by striking out the side as the Firestorm completed the sweep.

Inside the Box Score:

Garcia: 1-for-3, 2 RBIs

Beach: 1-for-3, 2 RBIs

Tarver: 2-for-3, RBI

Durazo: 1-for-3, RBI

Campillo: 1-for-3, RBI

Ramirez: 0-for-3, RBI

Thoughts from Coach:

After the game Head Coach Joe McDonald stated, "We got a really good pitching performance from two freshman in game two today along with some timely hitting and a lot fun energy tonight. I love how we responded after being down in game one. Anytime that you can get a full sweep in the GSAC is a really good weekend. I am proud of your guys."

Up Next:

The Firestorm hit the road as they travel to Southern California to continue GSAC play against San Diego Christian in a pair of doubleheaders beginning on March 4 at 11:00 AM Arizona time at Balboa Stadium.