Surprise, Ariz. - On Friday night, the Firestorm married solid pitching and clean defensive play to defeat cross-town rival #25 OUAZ 4-0 at Surprise Stadium. Arizona Christian held the Spirit to only two hits (T-2nd lowest this season) and blanked a GSAC opponent for the second time in 2024 (13-0 in Menlo series finale).

Adrian Santa Cruz gutted out his GSAC-leading seventh victory of the season, working 6.0 innings that resulted in his fifth shutout (second in conference play) this season.

Marques Titialii was once again clutch for the Firestorm, reaching safely twice including a two-run shot in the third frame. After another thorough bashing, Titialii (47 RBI) holds a five-RBI lead over Hope International's JJ Cruz.

Andrew Ivy not only pushed his hit streak to 25 games, but his three hits tonight led the squad and lifted him into a tie with Jared Anderson for most hits this season (45 apiece). Anderson matched Titialii's two hits and both were converted into runs.

Though Jaylen Edmonds was hitless in the win, his contributions were certainly felt at second base where he assisted on a team-leading six putouts. 

Tonight's win tied the season series at 2-2 and kept ACU firmly in the mix for a GSAC regular-season title.

GAME INFO

Score: RV Arizona Christian 4 | #25 OUAZ 0
Records: RV ACU 22-15 (11-8 GSAC) | #25 OUAZ 23-12 (8-11 GSAC)
Location: Surprise Stadium - Surprise, AZ

STAT TRACKER

Andrew Ivy - 3 hits, 1 run 
Marques Titialii - 2 hits, 2 RBIs, 1 home run
Jared Anderson - 2 hits, 2 runs
Sean Garcia - 1 hit, 1 RBI
Trey Tarver - 1 hit
Tanner Vielguth - 1 hit
Matthew Beckworth - 1 RBI
Adrian Santa Cruz - 6.0 IP, 0 RA, 7 K

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

Ivy reached first base as the lead-off man thanks to a fielding error by Spirit shortstop Christian Powell. However, two fly-outs and a strikeout left him wanting. Santa Cruz was efficient his first time on the mound, retiring OUAZ in order and recording an inning-ending strikeout out.

After the Firestorm were quickly "three up, three down," Daniel Durazo singled to lead off the Spirit's second inning. Despite a double play being gobbled up by ACU, Santa Cruz experienced a bit of a dry spell as he hit a batter and walked the next two. A critical strikeout of Joel Esparza left the bases loaded and the Firestorm starting pitcher was off the hook.

Two batters meant two outs for ACU in the third, but Ivy kept hope alive with an infield single. On cue, Titialii dug in at the plate and coolly barrelled a ball over the fence for a two-run home run. The Firestorm protected a newly built 2-0 advantage with another 4-6-3 double play in the bottom half of the third inning.

ACU's Anderson and Garcia occupied first and third with back-to-back singles to open the fourth. A third run would be added by Beckworth, whose sacrifice fly to center field sent Anderson through home plate. For the third time in four innings, Santa Cruz restricted OUAZ to three plate appearances and he did so with two strikeouts.

Another Ivy single would lead to nothing in the fifth, and Santa Cruz survived two opening walks with three straight punch outs.

With one out on the board, Anderson bunted well enough to reach first and was gifted two extra bases due to an error by third baseman Owen Prendergast. Garcia's groundout to second resulted in an RBI and the Firestorm's fourth and final run in the sixth.

All three ACU relievers (Christian Lucero, Evan Hieb, Chay Esqueda) shredded through their three allotted batters in the inward three innings, combining for 31 pitches. Hieb struck out all three of his Spirit batters in an immaculate display of relief pitching.

THOUGHTS FROM COACH JOE MCDONALD

"Tonight was a great team effort and start to the weekend," Coach McDonald said. "Great pitching and defense combined with executing our offense. Tomorrow is a big day for us."

NEXT FOR THE FIRESTORM

The Arizona Christian Firestorm close out their season series with the #25 OUAZ Spirit tomorrow afternoon at Surprise Stadium. Game 1 of a double header will get underway at 1:00 PM, with Game 2 slated to begin 30 minutes after the final out is recorded. Don't miss a single play with live stats at https://ouazspirit.com/sidearmstats/baseball/summary and watch the broadcast at https://www.gsacsportsnetwork.com/azchristian/.
    
                          
Roll Storm!