Fullerton, Calif.- A grand slam home run from Claire Buckley along with good pitching from Savannah Smith and Helen Hayes helped Arizona Christian win game one on Saturday.  Kaitlyn Anderson drove in three in game two but the Firestorm came up a run short against Hope International.  Buckley and Anderson were both 3-5 with 4 RBI on the day.

Game Info

• Game one score: Arizona Christian - 6, Hope International - 3
• Game two score: Hope International - 7, Arizona Christian - 6
• Records: Arizona Christian - 19-10, 5-3 GSAC, Hope International - 18-11, 6-6 GSAC
• NAIA Top 25 ranking: Arizona Christian - not ranked, Hope International - RV
• Location: Bastanchury Park, Fullerton, CA

ACU Game One Stats

• Buckley - 1-2, GS HR, 4 RBI, 2BB
• Taylor Schleisman - 2-4, 2B
• Kaitlyn Anderson - 2-3, RBI
• Savannah Smith - win, 6 Ks
• Helen Hayes - save

Inside Game One

• After a scoreless first, Taylor Alto walked and Anderson drove her home in the second
• With the bases chucked and two out, Buckley made it 5-0 with a grand slam home run
• Schleisman doubled to start the third and Alto sent a single back up the middle to plate Schleisman
• The Royals scored an unearned run in the bottom of the inning for a 6-1 score
• Both teams had chances but HIU only scored two more runs
• Smith pitched into the sixth before Hayes produced the last six outs

ACU Game Two Stats

• Buckley - 2-3, BB, run
• Jyden Miles - 1-3, 2 runs, RBI
• Schleisman - 2-3, run
• Anderson - 1-2, 3 RBI
• Hayes - 1.2 relief innings, no runs
• Smith - 3 relief innings, no runs, 5 Ks

Inside Game Two

• The Firestorm used three walks, three stolen bases, and a passed ball to score two runs in the first
• The Royals scored three runs without an extra base hit in the bottom of the inning
• In the second, HIU scored four runs (two earned) for a 7-2 edge
• With the bases full, Anderson flipped a single to right field to score Miles, Schleisman, and Alto
• Miles singled to shortstop with the bases loaded to bring the Firestorm within a run
• Bases loaded again with the infield in, Alto smashed a ball to short, and Buckley- the tying run- was thrown out at home
• In the seventh, ACU once again had the tying run at third with two out but were unable to push across the run
• ACU left nine on base in game two
• Thanks to splitting over the weekend, the Firestorm moved into second place in the GSAC standings

Up Next

The Firestorm will get their first look at their Northern California GSAC foes when they host William Jessup and Menlo next weekend.The Warriors will be at the ACU Softball Field on Friday.First pitch will be at 11:00 am.