Phoenix, AZ- On Friday, Arizona Christian jumped into GSAC play with a twin bill against Menlo.  Game one went in favor of ACU 4-3 before they dropped game two 8-2.  Sophomore Anely Marcilla and freshman Paige Church both went 3-6 on the day.

The afternoon started on a good note as the Firestorm (5-5, 1-1 GSAC) scored an unearned run in the first.

Sophomore Ashlynn Preciado held the Oaks (12-6, 1-1 GSAC) scoreless until the top of the fourth when Keeley Hernandez homered and Menlo plated a second run thanks to three singles and a fielder's choice.  A relay from Sophomore Taylor Babbitt in left center to Senior Meaghen Nelson to Senior Sianna Gomez at the plate cut down a runner and ended the inning.  That turned out to be a huge run kept off the board as ACU eventually won by one.

In the bottom of the fifth, Gomez leadoff the inning with a double to the left center gap.  Junior Cheyann Michael followed with a single that was misplayed in center allowing Gomez to score and Michael to motor all the way to third.  Babbitt doubled home Michael.  Babbitt then made it a three run inning when she scored on a dropped ball in right to give ACU a 4-2 edge.

Preciado (2-3) labored through six innings by throwing 113 pitches and gave up another run in the sixth.  But she still stood in line for the win.

Following a 1-2-3 bottom of the sixth, Freshman Hilaria Stewart was called on to shut the door in the top of the seventh.  However, a lead-off walk and single put the tying and winning runs on base.  A popup to second was the first out.  A nice sliding catch by Junior Bridget Kruck in foul territory down the right field line allowed both runners to move into scoring position but accounted for the second out.  Stewart induced a fly out to left field to end the game and earn her second save of the season.

Game two saw the Oaks score a run in the second on a single and double.

Back-to-back singles by Marcilla and Stewart opened the bottom of the fifth for the Firestorm.  After a sacrifice bunt dropped down by Junior Chelsea Havill moved the runners up, Nelson cashed in both runners with a single for a 2-1 lead.

Unfortunately, the top of sixth followed and on the strength of two home runs, the Oaks produced a seven run frame.

After her dramatic save in game one, Stewart (1-2) started the second game and went five plus innings before giving up the two home runs and taking the loss.

The Firestorm will try out a new Saturday home as they host William Jessup at 12:00 pm at Sandra Day O'Connor High School.