PHOENIX, Ariz. – The Arizona Christian Firestorm softball team defeated the Carroll College Saints on Friday afternoon in both games of the doubleheader by finals of 2-1 and 8-0 in final five innings at the Rose Mofford Sports Complex in Phoenix.

The Firestorm improve to 5-3 overall on the season with the victories. After both of the losses, Carroll College drops to 2-12 overall.

Game one featured close to picture perfect pitching. Firestorm starter Jackie Aguilar (2-3) tossed a complete game, allowing just one run on five hits, to go along with her 14 strikeouts; which set the ACU record for most strikeouts in a game. The lone run Aguilar gave up, was a solo homerun in the top of the seventh inning.

"Today was a good day," said ACU head coach Jay Pyron. "We started a little sluggish. Their pitcher did a nice job getting us outside our plan. We got just enough from our offense in the first game to get the win. Jackie (Aguilar) threw very well and gave us a shot to win."

Offensively for the Firestorm, Meaghen Nelson hit a two-run homerun in the bottom of the third inning for the lone runs for ACU in the ballgame. For Nelson, it was her fourth homerun of the season; tying her for the team lead with Abby Beasley. With the homerun, Meaghen Nelson tied the career homerun record at Arizona Christian University.

"The team performed well defensively the first game and our bats were on fire in the second game," said Meaghen Nelson. "Our pitching staff was solid! Overall, we had a great day. I'm proud to be a part of ACU softball and I am excited for what's to come!"

Game two was a pitcher's duel until the final half-inning of play. Arizona Christian got on the board first with a RBI single and a fly-out to take a 2-0 lead after two innings of play. The Firestorm then tacked on another run in the third inning, on an Eden Sheldon RBI double to take a 3-0 lead.

That 3-0 lead would stay intact for the Firestorm up to the bottom of the fifth inning, when the Firestorm bats broke the game open. ACU would score five runs to complete the 8-0 run-rule victory over Carroll College in a final five innings.

In that fifth inning, Abby Beasley doubled in Alyssa Vanderdrink to start the scoring off. Then Sherrie Irwin would reach on an error to score Abby Beasley to take a 5-0 lead. Destinee Spencer hit an RBI single to score the sixth run of the ballgame, followed by a deep fly ball to right field off of the bat of Patricia Porter that was misplayed by the right fielder to score the final two runs of the ballgame.

Firestorm starter Ashlynn Preciado (1-0) picked up her first collegiate win; by tossing four shutout innings, allowing just three hits while walking two batters.

"In the second game, our players committed to their plan and although we didn't break it open until late, we were pleased with how we handled our at-bats through most of the game," said ACU head coach Jay Pyron. "Ashlynn (Preciado) got her first college win and really started us off well. We are very pleased with the wins and by how we started this stretch of games as well."

The Firestorm conclude their series with Carroll College from Montana on Saturday, at 12 noon and 2pm. Saturday's games will be played at Sandra Day O'Connor.