San Diego, CA- A walk-off home run put a damper on a comeback in the first game before a win in game two gave Arizona Christian their first win on the season with a 9-8 and 3-1 split at San Diego Christian.  Junior Jake Howard went 3-9 on the day with a home run and four RBI.  Senior Christopher Burks scored three runs.

The opener started on a good note as Burks led off the game with a walk and stolen base.  Junior Hector Ortiz singled home Burks for a quick 1-0 lead.

Burks and Ortiz struck again in the third after Burks doubled down the left field line and Ortiz again singled.

But the Hawks (4-4, 2-1 GSAC) countered with three runs in the first, four runs in the fourth, and a run in the fifth to take an 8-2 lead into the sixth. 

The Firestorm (1-6, 1-2 GSAC) used a single by Junior Jacob Rodriguez, walk by Junior Dave Grubaugh, ground rule double by Senior AJ Arroyo, and single by Senior Tate Erickson to cash in three runs and cut the deficit to 8-5.

In the eighth, following a single and walk, Howard delivered the first ACU home run of the season with a blast to center field that tied the game at 8-8.

After a scoreless ninth, they headed to extra frames.  The top of the inning saw Arizona Christian strand runners at first and second.  Unfortunately, with two outs and a 3-2 count, the game came to an end on a home run to left by SDCC's Caeden Barnes.

With the 8-2 deficit, Senior Cooper Johnson, Sophomore Anthony Pins (making his season debut), and Sophomore Wade Mason threw 4.2 innings of scoreless relief up until the home run.  Mason threw a solid 2.2 innings with three strikeouts but was charged with the lost.

In the seven inning day cap, ACU scored a run in the third with three straight singles- Burks, Ortiz, and a RBI single by Howard.

SDCC tied the game at 1-1 with a run in the fourth.

Senior Tatum Hendrix singled in front of walks to Rodriguez and Sophomore Michael Dunnebecke in the sixth.  Hendrix came in score on fielder's choice with Rodriguez right behind him on a throwing error for the 3-1 lead.

Hendrix made it stand up from there and as he retired the side in order in the bottom of the sixth and left a runner stranded at second in the seventh.  The four hit complete game earned Hendrix the win to even his record at 1-1 on the season.

The Firestorm will return home to host William Jessup on Friday to start a three game series.  First pitch will come at Firestorm Field at 2:00 pm (AT)/ 1:00 pm (PT).