Fullerton, CA – The Arizona Christian University baseball team (21-19, 8-14) earned a split in their second doubleheader against No. 15 Hope International (28-8, 14-4) as they lost the first game 11-8 and then rebounded with a 10-7 victory in the second game on Saturday afternoon at Duane Winters Field in Fullerton, CA

Series Notes:

With the split the Firestorm's record against the Royals moves to 11-16.

Game 1:

Roy Washburn took the loss pitching 2 1/3 innings while allowing seven runs, four earned on nine hits while striking out two. Manny Villa led the Firestorm's offense going 3-for-5 with 3 RBIs.

The Royals jumped on the Firestorm early as they took a 2-0 lead in the first inning. They would then add three more in the second as they took a 5-0. The Firestorm answered in the bottom half as Caleb Beach delivered an RBI single and then two batters later Daniel Durazo ripped a double down the right field line as the Firestorm pulled back within 5-2. The Royals though would strike for two more runs in the bottom of the third and bottom of the fifth innings as they extended their advantage to 9-2

The Firestorm would continue to battle though as they pulled back another run in the sixth inning on a two out RBI double by Marques Titialli to make it 9-3. They continued their momentum in the eighth inning as they put up more runs. With two on and one out Manny Villa delivered with a huge three run home run as the Firestorm pulled back within 9-6. The Firestorm would then load the bases and add another run on a wild pitch as they made the score 9-7.

The Royals though would answer in the bottom half as they scored two runs to increase their lead to 11-7. The Firestorm didn't give up though as they put two runners on with one out in the top of the ninth. Titialli would then deliver a base hit up the middle to pull the Firestorm within 11-8 but that would be all they would get as the Royals prevailed.

Inside the Box Score:

Villa: 3-for-5, 3 RBIs, HR

Titialli: 2-for-4, 2 RBIs

Durazo: 3-for-5, RBI

Beach: 1-for-3, RBI

Game 2:

Trey Tarver picked up the win as he pitched 5 innings allowing two runs, one earned on three hits while walking four and striking out two. Daniel Durazo led the Firestorm's offense going 3-for-4 with 5 RBIs including a grand slam.

After a scoreless first inning the Royals would open the scoring in the second inning as they took a 1-0 lead. That lead wouldn't last long as the Firestorm came roaring back in the top of the third. The Firestorm would load the bases on two hits and a walk with one out before Durazo stepped to the plate and blasted a grand slam to put the Firestorm on top 4-1. The Firestorm would then add to their lead in the fourth inning as Beach delivered a two out two run double to right center to increase the Firestorm lead to 6-1. The Royals would answer with a run in the bottom half of the inning to pull within 6-2.

The Firestorm would have their own answer though as they scored again in the top of the fifth inning to make it 7-2. They weren't done their though as they loaded the bases with nobody out in the top of the sixth. Justin Ramirez would then follow with a sacrifice fly to increase the Firestorm lead to 8-2. Durazo then ripped a double down the left field line to put the Firestorm up 9-2. Campillo then followed with a sacrifice fly to increase the Firestorm lead to 10-2. The Royals weren't done scoring either as they scored five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to pull within 10-7 but that would be as close as they would get as Jordan Vickers slammed the door helping the Firestorm to victory and snapping an eleven game conference losing streak.

Inside the Box Score:

Durazo: 3-for-4, 5 RBIs, Grand Slam

Beach: 2-for-2, 2 RBIs

Ramirez: 1-for-3, RBI

Campillo: 1-for-3, RBI

Thought's From Coach:

After the game head coach Joe McDonald stated, "After today I really feel like we're heading back in the right direction as we could have folded early in the day, but we continued to fight and put ourselves in a position to almost win game one and then backed that up with a complete game two to end a conference game losing streak. We will continue to work hard and fight and scrape to get back in the hunt. I'm proud of our guys."

Up Next:

The Firestorm continue GSAC play as they hit the road again to take on William Jessup in a four game series with a doubleheader beginning on Friday, April 1 at 4:00 PM in Rocklin, CA.