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Arizona Christian University

OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE OF ARIZONA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
ACU Baseball lose in GSAC Championship
15
Winner Hope International HIU 42-8
11
Arizona Christian ACU 39-13-1
Winner
Hope International HIU
42-8
15
Final
11
Arizona Christian ACU
39-13-1
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Hope International HIU 0 1 4 0 0 3 3 1 3 15 15 3
Arizona Christian ACU 0 0 0 0 4 0 7 0 0 11 18 1

W: C. Jong (3-0) L: Vickers, Jordan (2-1)

2
Arizona Christian ACU 39-14-1
8
Winner Hope International HIU 43-8
Arizona Christian ACU
39-14-1
2
Final
8
Hope International HIU
43-8
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Arizona Christian ACU 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 2 5 2
Hope International HIU 0 0 4 0 1 0 0 3 X 8 13 1

W: T. Seeley (11-1) L: Robertson, Payton (4-1) S: J. Landry (1)

Game Recap: Baseball | | Natalie Lopez

ACU Fight Hard in GSAC Championship, Come Up Short Against Hope International

Mesa, Ariz.- The Firestorm battled toe-to-toe with #1 Hope International in a dramatic doubleheader at Hohokam Stadium for the GSAC Championship, showcasing their offensive firepower and resilience across both contests. 

In a wild opener that featured a combined 26 runs and 33 hits, the Firestorm roared back from an early deficit with a seven-run seventh inning to tie the game 11–11, fueled by clutch RBI hits from Trey Tarver and Tanner Vielguth. ACU's offense out-hit Hope International 18–15, with Jared Anderson and Jaylen Edmonds each tallying three hits, and Kimo Fukofuka reaching base three times. Despite the explosive comeback, Hope International added four more late runs, capitalizing on a few defensive miscues to pull ahead. With the loss, Hope International forced the If Game shortly after. 

In game two, ACU looked to bounce back behind starter Payton Robertson, who entered undefeated on the season. Despite a tough third inning where Hope plated four runs (two unearned), Robertson settled in to pitch seven strong innings, striking out seven and walking just one. The Firestorm offense saw more timely hits from Matthew Beckworth, who drove in both of ACU's runs with a pair of singles, while Sean Garcia sparked the lineup again with two hits and a run scored. However, the bats couldn't string together enough late, as Hope tacked on three insurance runs in the eighth to seal it and win the GSAC conference title. 

Even with the two losses, ACU showed tremendous fight, piling up 23 hits over two games. The offense continued to roll with key performances from the heart of the lineup, and the Firestorm bullpen was tested in high-leverage moments that could prove valuable for the NAIA tournament. With the first-round of the NAIA tournament approaching, ACU has proven they can go toe-to-toe with the best—and will be a dangerous contender. 


Game Info
  • Game One Score: Arizona Christian - 11, Hope International - 15
  • Game Two Score: Arizona Christian - 2, Hope International - 8
  • Records: Arizona Christian - 39-14-1, Hope International - 43-8
  • Location: Hohokam Stadium, Mesa, AZ

ACU Game One Stats
Inside Game One
  • In the fifth inning, the Firestorm finally got on the board after scoring four runs. Hope International still led 5-4. 
  • ACU scored seven unanswered runs in the seventh inning to tie the game up 11-11. 
  • The Firestorm fought hard, but it wasn't enough to defeat Hope International. 
  • ACU lost the first game, 11-15. 

ACU Game Two Stats
Inside Game Two
  • The Firestorm struggled to find their momentum and get some hits. 
  • In the fifth inning, ACU finally got on the board after Matthew Beckworth singled through the right side, earning an RBI after Sean Garcia scored. Hope International still led 4-1.
  • In the seventh inning, Matthew Beckworth hit another single, this time through the left side and earned an RBI after Sean Garcia scored again. 
  • ACU lost the second game, 2-8. 

Up Next
The Firestorm will prepare for the first round of the NAIA tournament that starts May 12. More details will follow.


 
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