Box Score IRVINE, CA --- The Arizona Christian University Firestorm baseball team fell to the 18th ranked Concordia Eagles by a final of 9-7 in game one of their three game series on Friday afternoon at Concordia University in Irvine, California.
The Firestorm fall to 2-2 on the season and 2-2 in GSAC play. With the victory, the 18th ranked Concordia Eagles move to 4-1 overall and 3-1 in GSAC play.
Both teams got the scoring going early on Friday, as both squads struck for a run in the first inning. Anthony Balderama singled in Tanner Stokey in the top of the first inning to give ACU the early 1-0 lead. Concordia would quickly respond with a run of their own in the bottom of the first inning on a sac-fly to even the score at one. The Eagles quickly got another run in the bottom of the second inning, when ACU pitcher Tommy Lay surrendered a solo homerun to make it 2-1 in favor of Concordia.
The Firestorm got back in the scoring column, as Anthony Balderama reached on a fielder's choice in the top of the third inning; with the basses loaded, scoring Michael Dunnebecke from third base. ACU tacked on another run in the top of the fourth inning on a solo homer by Jesse Poweziak.
The fifth inning was the turning point in the ballgame, as ACU would strike for four runs in the top half of the inning, before Concordia responded with six runs of their own. The Eagles would tack on another run for insurance in the bottom of the sixth inning, on their way to the 9-7 victory.
Isaiah Terrazas (1-0) picked up the victory for Concordia, tossing three innings in relief, while allowing a run on two hits with four strikeouts and two walks. Tyler Mark (1) picked up the save after tossing a inning and two-thirds with three strikeouts. Jack Sherman (0-1) took the loss for the Firestorm after not recording a single out and allowing a run on a hit with a walk.
In the loss, the Firestorm were led by Jesse Poweziak and Cody Rose. (Jesse) Poweziak went 2-for-4 at the plate with a solo homer. (Cody) Rose went 1-for-4 at the plate with a grand-slam homerun.
The Firestorm will close out this three-game set, with a doubleheader tomorrow (Saturday) at Concordia. Following this series, the Firestorm will remain on the road as they take on the Vanguard Lions in a three-game set next Friday and Saturday in Costa Mesa, California. ACU returns home on February 13th and 14th for a three-game set against The Master's College Mustangs.
