Glendale, Ariz. - The Firestorm manufactured runs early and often and a lights out performance from starter Adrian Santa Cruz helped seal a 10-8 win over Menlo on Friday night. A Trey Tarver two-run home run in the first inning set the tone for Arizona Christian, who would stack up a 9-0 advantage through five frames. Though ACU took their foot off the gas pedal late, their total body of work was enough to snap a five-game skid.

Andrew Ivy would not be overshadowed by Tarver's two-run blast, the center fielder producing two runs on two hits. Jaylen Edmonds overcame some recent hitting woes (0-for-17 last five games) with a two-RBI double in the fifth inning.

Ryan Eastham and Jared Anderson matched each other with two hits at the plate, Anderson now only two behind Edmonds (33) for most recorded this season. Kane Kiaunis' hitting streak was upped to six games and he crossed home plate on two occasions.

Tanner Vielguth was not placed in a high pressure situation this time, but accomplished the feat of back-to-back games with at least one hit (RBI-double in fifth) for the first time in 2024.

As mentioned in the opening, Santa Cruz was the glue that held the Firestorm together. His 11 strikeouts tied a career-high set against Dickinson State (March 4th) and established a career-best against a GSAC opponent (nine twice last season).

GAME INFO

Score: RV Arizona Christian 10 | Menlo College 8
Records: RV ACU 15-14 (8-8 GSAC) | MC 9-16 (4-9 GSAC)
Location: Greenway High School - Glendale, AZ

STAT TRACKER

Andrew Ivy - 2 hits, 2 RBIs, 1 run
Trey Tarver - 1 hit, 2 RBIs, 1 home run
Jaylen Edmonds - 1 hit, 2 RBIs, 1 double
Jared Anderson - 2 hits, 1 run
Ryan Eastham - 2 hits, 1 double
Kane Kiaunis - 1 hit, 2 runs
Tanner Vielguth - 1 hit, 1 RBI, 1 double
Adrian Santa Cruz - 6.0 IP, 0 RA, 11 K

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

Santa Cruz was not deterred by a lead off walk (Justin Flannery), striking out the next three batters. Ivy pulled off the same start of the Firestorm, taking a six-pitch walk. Tarver then mashed a slicing ball over the left-field fence to ignite a two-run inning.

The Oaks went down in order in the second (all force outs) and ACU could not take advantage of Vielguth reaching first by error with their next three going down swinging. 

Santa Cruz gave up his first hit of the ball game to Jake Koeper (single) in the third but struck out two of his next three batters to keep Menlo scoreless. Kiaunis and Anderson slapped back-to-back singles after two quick outs to set up another run (3-0, ACU through three).

The Firestorm defense and Santa Cruz survived two Oaks baserunners in the fourth before Ivy tallied another run in their proceeding at-bat, scoring Noah DeLuca.

For the second inning, Santa Cruz retired Menlo in order. And that is when the floodgates truly opened for the Firestorm offense. ACU lit up the Oaks' Cody Carson with five hits and five runs in the fifth inning, highlighted by three doubles. 

Santa Cruz finished on a high note, punching out his final three batters to hit an 11-strikeout total. Following only their second scoreless inning, the Firestorm turned to their bullpen in the form of Mackenzie Salmon. The right-hander allowed five of his six batters to reach safely and two runs before Christian Lucero relieved him. Things definitely got interesting, as three more Oaks scored in a loaded situation to see the Firestorm lead trimmed to four.

No offensive traction would follow for ACU in the seventh. Menlo's Jayshaun Wise registered their first home run, a solo shot off of Payton Robertson in the eighth. 

An Eastham single to lead off the eighth paved the way for the 10th Firestorm run. Deshon Thomas, courtesy runner for Eastham, stole both second and third before Marques Titialii hit a sacrifice fly to score him.

Riley Quinton, the designated closer, pocketed two quick outs but the game was all but decided as Menlo hit consecutive home runs (DJ Scott, Sage Pera). Despite the newly-added heat, Quinton struck out the next batter to survive the late onslaught.

THOUGHTS FROM COACH JOE MCDONALD

"It was nice to get back in the win column," Coach McDonald said. "Santa Cruz threw great and our offense did a good job manufacturing runs as well as playing good defense. Tomorrow is a big day for us."

NEXT FOR THE FIRESTORM

The Arizona Christian Firestorm bring a 1-0 series lead into Saturday's double header at Greenway High School. Game 2's first pitch is set for 4:00 PM, as ACU seeks to win its third GSAC series of 2024. Don't miss a single play with live stats at https://acufirestorm.com/sidearmstats/baseball/summary and watch the broadcast at https://www.gsacsportsnetwork.com/azchristian/.  
    
                          
Roll Storm!