Fullerton, CA – The Arizona Christian University baseball team (20-18, 7-13) couldn't keep the lead as they lost a doubleheader against No. 15 Hope International (27-7, 13-3) as they lost the first game 9-2 and fell 7-3 in the second game on Friday afternoon at Duane Winters Field in Fullerton, CA.

Series Notes:

With the losses the Firestorm record against the Royals falls to 10-15.

Game 1:

Evan Massie (1-2) took the loss pitching 4 2/3 innings while allowing six runs, five earned on ten hits while walking two and striking out four. Caleb Beach led the Firestorm's offense going 2-for-3 with one RBI.

After three and half scoreless innings the Royals opened the scoring as they struck for four runs to take a 4-0 lead. They would add two more in the fifth inning as they extended their advantage to 6-0. The Firestorm didn't give up as they got in the board in the seventh. With runners on the corners Caleb Beach ripped an RBI single to right to make it 6-1. The Firestorm would then add another run on an error as they got within 6-2. That would be as close as they would get as the Royals tacked on three more runs as the Firestorm fell 9-2.

Inside the Box Score:

Beach: 2-for-3, 1 RBI

Game 2:

Eli Elliot got the start and pitched 5 1/3 innings allowing three runs, two earned on four hits while walking three and striking out six. Brett Wagner took the loss pitching 1/3 innings while allowing three runs on one hit while walking two.

It was a pitcher's duel early on until the Firestorm opened the scoring in the top of the third. With two runners on and one out Justin Ramirez lined a single up the middle to put the Firestorm up 1-0. Durazo would then follow with an RBI single to up the Firestorm advantage to 2-0. The Firestorm would then tack on one more run on a sac fly by Robby Campillo as they took a 3-0 lead. The Royals would quickly answer in the bottom half as they scored two runs to pull within 3-2. The game remained that way until the bottom of the sixth when the Royals struck for five runs as they went on to win 7-3.

Inside the Box Score:

Ramirez: 1-for-3, RBI

Durazo: 1-for-3, RBI

Campillo: 0-for-2, RBI

Up Next:

The Firestorm continue their series against Hope International with another doubleheader on Saturday, March 26 at 11:00 AM at Duane Winters Field in Fullerton, CA.