Costa Mesa, CA- Facing their toughest road GSAC trip of the season, Arizona Christian (RV) opened the trip with a bang as they swept No. 7 Vanguard 3-1 and 2-1 (9 innings).  Senior Emerald Grijalva threw all 16 innings while allowing one earned run.  Senior Payton Carli was 5-8 on the day.

Game Info

• Game one score: Arizona Christian - 3, Vanguard - 1
• Game two score: Arizona Christian - 2, Vanguard - 1 (9 innings)
• Records: Arizona Christian - 16-8, 5-1 GSAC, Vanguard - 18-6, 2-2 GSAC
• NAIA Top 25 ranking: Arizona Christian - RV, Vanguard - 7
• Location: Lion Field, Vanguard University, Costa Mesa, CA

ACU Game One Stats

• Emerald Grijalva - complete game, one earned run
• Payton Carli - 2-4, run
• Jamilia Cosay - 2-4, RBI
• Mady Carli - 1-1, run
• Jennifer Vickman - game winning run
• Adri Chavez - RBI
• Paige Church - RBI

Inside Game One

• Four of the first six half innings were 1-2-3 innings
• In the fourth, P. Carli scored on an RBI single from Cosay to begin the scoring
• The Lions tied the game at 1-1 in the fifth
• ACU scored the game winning runs in the sixth- on a fielder's choice and squeeze bunt
• Grijalva recorded a 1-2-3 seventh to lock in the win
• Neither team produced an extra base hit

ACU Game Two Stats

• Emerald Grijalva - complete game win (GSAC leading tenth win), no earned runs
• Payton Carli - 3-4
• Elsy Guzman - 1-4, RBI
• Claire Buckley - 2-3, 2B
• Hilaria Stewart - game winning RBI
• Jennifer Vickman - game winning run

Inside Game Two

• Grijalva retired VU 1-2-3 in three of the first four innings
• Game was 0-0 through the regulation seven innings
• In the tiebreak eighth, Tatumn Porras started at second and scored on back-to-back bunt singles from P. Carli and Guzman
• VU scored their tie break runner in the bottom of the eighth
• In the ninth, Vickman pinch ran, and scored without a hit- sac bunt by Buckley and sac fly from Stewart
• The Lions loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth but Grijalva struck out the final batter for the win

Thoughts from Coach Welsh

"It was a great doubleheader played by both teams today.  Vanguard has a very good team and two ace pitchers and I was proud of how my hitters battled them both. Grijalva showed up and proved that she is one of the best in the GSAC.  So happy for her and loved her determination on that mound today!"

Up Next

The Firestorm continue their trip on Saturday by facing No. 11 Hope International at Bastanchury Park in Fullerton.First pitch is set for 12:00 pm (Pacific)/ 1:00 pm (Arizona).