GLENDALE, Ariz. - An outpouring of offense propelled the Arizona Christian University baseball team (11-4) to a doubleheader sweep over Bethesda University of California (2-11) Thursday afternoon, winning game one, 18-6, and taking a seven-inning second game, 17-6 At Apollo High School.

Series Notes:

The sweep increased ACU's all-time series lead over Bethesda to 13-5 and also increased the Firestorm's current win streak against the Flames to six games, dating back to Jan. 30, 2019.

Game One:

ACU scored 15 runs within the first three innings, holding off the Flames to eventually earn the lopsided, 18-6 victory.

Brent Smith, Alec Ortiz, Robby Campillo, Ramon Miranda, and Ty Isbell each finished with a multi-hit game.  Ortiz, Justen Burkey, and D'Marcus Guillory (grand slam) each homered.

ACU starter Brett Aker moved to 3-0 with the win and pitched five innings, allowing four hits and two runs, one earned, while walking two and striking out three.  Beji Foyle, Troy Osterode, and Michael Bovee Jr combined to throw four innings of relief and allowed four runs on four hits while walking six and striking out three.

Game Two:

Bethesda took control early with a 4-1 lead entering the bottom half of the third inning, but the Firestorm would answer the Flames' offense by plating four runs in the third, eight in the fourth, and four in the fifth to eventually earn the 17-6 win.

Smith, Burkey, Campillo, Miranda, Ortiz, Justin Ramirez, Randen Garrison, and Damien McElroy each finished with two hits.  Ortiz and McElroy added three RBI each, Burkey and Campillo each drove in a pair, and Smith and Burkey each scored three times.

Starting pitcher Cade Mousel went three innings and allowed four runs on six hits with no walks and three strikeouts, reliever Andrew Hirsch earned the win after a one-inning appearance, allowing no runs while walking one and striking out one, and Brett Wagner and Mitchell Schooler combined to close the last three innings, allowing two runs on four hits with two walks and five strikeouts. 

Thoughts from Coach: 

"Our hitters did a really good job today with plate discipline.  I was proud of the way we dealt with some early adversity in game two and played with great energy while sticking to our process.  It was a great offensive day for us by multiple players, and we look forward to a great challenge tomorrow."

Up Next:

The Firestorm host No. 24 Lewis-Clark State College for a non-conference doubleheader on Fri., Feb. 12 beginning at 4 p.m. Arizona Time at Apollo High School in Glendale, Ariz.  Spectators are not permitted.