Costa Mesa, CA- With the benefit of just one extra base hit, Arizona Christian split with Vanguard 6-2 and 10-4 on Friday afternoon.  On the other hand, Firestorm pitching only allowed two extra base hits all day.  Sophomore Taylor Babbitt and Senior Sianna Gomez were both 3 for 8 on the day.

The Lions (14-4, 5-1 GSAC) pushed across three runs in the bottom of the first in game one.  After Junior Ashlynn Preciado had retired eight in a row at one point, VUSC used a triple- their only extra base hit of the game- to score two more runs.  An unearned run in the sixth made it a 6-0 game.

Down to their final three outs, Freshman Paige Church doubled to right to lead off the seventh.  Preciado followed with a walk.  Sophomore Janay Garcia reached on a fielder's choice to load the bases.  Junior Cheyann Michael delivered an RBI single and Sophomore Jenna Castilleja sent a sacrifice fly out to center to finish off the scoring in game one.

Game two started with a Gomez single and she eventually came into score for the early 1-0 lead.  But VUSC answered with a walk and double to tie the score.

In the second, Junior Chelsea Havill and Michael both scored a run even though ACU collected just one hit.  Vanguard scored one in their half of the second to setup a 3-2 game.

However in the third, the Firestorm (6-10, 2-4 GSCA) sent 11 hitters to the plate and hung a six spot on the scoreboard thanks to seven singles and a walk.  Two singles and two consecutive walks in the fifth made the score 10-2.

Vanguard used three singles to score two runs in the fifth for the 10-4 score.

But with daylight fading neither team scored again though both teams has runners on in the final two innings.

Freshman Hilaria Stewart improved to 2-3 after throwing six innings.

Head Coach Trisha Thurston stated, "It was nice to get the split today. The team needed this. We used our speed and small ball and capitalized on mistakes. We haven't been able to put all three elements together in games - pitching, defense, and offense, but we did it in the second game. It's a great way to end the day. Now time to refocus for tomorrow."

On Saturday, the Firestorm will head to Biola in La Mirada for a GSAC doubleheader beginning at 12:00 pm PT/ 1:00 pm AT.