Glendale, Ariz.- Weekend number two of the 2024 season will feature tough competition for Arizona Christian as they host Embry-Riddle Aeronautical (receiving votes in the NAIA) and NAIA number one ranked Oregon Tech.

Game Details
Embry-Riddle (AZ)- Friday, February 9 at 4:00 pm (DH)
Oregon Tech- Saturday, February 10 at 3:00 pm (DH)
ACU Softball Field, Arizona Christian University, Glendale, AZ

Live Coverage
Live Video- https://www.gsacsportsnetwork.com/azchristian/
Live Stats- https://acufirestorm.com/sidearmstats/softball/summary

Thoughts from Coach Mayben
"We look forward to another great weekend of softball.  The past two weeks we have focused on developing friendship and learning how to work together.  Our focus is on growth and coming together as a team through these next four games against teams receiving national recognition.  A couple of goals are consistency at the plate and playing error free defense."

Arizona Christian
The Firestorm have started a season 6-0 for just the second time in program history.  Their best start of 7-0-1 came in 2016.  Last week to open their 2024 schedule ACU swept College of Idaho.  With two shutouts in their first six games, Arizona Christian needed an 11 run inning to beat Bushnell 12-7 in the final game of last week.

Key ACU Players
Jyden Miles - .500, 3B, 2 steals
Miranda Hipolito - .421, HR, 6 RBI
Dayna Herrera- .385, 5 RBI, 1-0 pitching
Abbi Covalt- .375, 2B
Claire Buckley - .278, 6 runs, 3 RBI, 5 steals
Savannah Smith - 3-0, save, 0.62 ERA, 23 strikeouts
Trinity Lawson - 2-0, 3.50 ERA

Series Notes
After pulling off a tough 3-2 win last Friday against Embry-Riddle (AZ), Arizona Christian improved to 25-11 all-time against the Eagles.  The teams split their doubleheaders last season with both teams sweeping at home.

The Owls own a 5-1 all-time record against the Firestorm.  The teams split last year in Glendale.  Actually, ACU was one out away from earning a sweep before OIT rallied in the night cap.

Embry-Riddle (AZ)
The Eagles have opened the season 1-3 with their win coming in the form of a 9-1 victory over Carroll last Thursday.  Their first eight games including the two on Friday will be played on the ACU Softball Field.  They will also face Hope International on Saturday on the ACU turf.  A season ago, they were 37-16, won a Cal Pac Regular Season and Tournament championship, and advanced to the NAIA Opening Round.

Oregon Tech
The Owls open their season with a sweep of Pacific Oregon on Sunday.  Due to rain they played OUAZ on the ACU Softball Field on Thursday- winning game one 8-0 and game two 2-0.  OIT will play Hope International at Arizona Christian on Friday.  In 2023, OIT advanced all the way to the national championship game before falling to rival Southern Oregon.

Roll Storm!