GLENDALE, Ariz. - The Arizona Christian University baseball team (14-9) split Thursday's doubleheader with Louisiana State University - Alexandria (4-6), taking game one, 6-5 while losing the second game in seven innings, 12-8.

Series Notes:

ACU and LSUA are now tied 3-3 in the all-time series.  The two teams are scheduled to play one final doubleheader on Friday to close the season series.

Game One:

With the game tied at 4-4 entering the bottom of the eighth, the Firestorm would plate two runs in the eighth to pull ahead, 6-4 in an unlikely way.  After Robby Campillo drew a one-out walk, he was pinch-ran for by Damien McElroy.  

McElroy would advance to second on a bad throw from the pitcher on a pick-off attempt, and he would score as Justin Ramirez collected a "little league" home run, hitting a single to centerfield that got past the centerfielder, allowing McElroy and Ramierez to make it home.  Those runs would prove to be just enough as ACU would hold the Generals to one more score in the 6-5 win.

Alec Ortiz, ACU's walk-off hero from a couple of nights ago started on the mound and allowed just four runs on five hits while walking a pair and striking out four in five innings.  Reliever Roy Washburn earned the win and threw three innings of scoreless and hitless baseball, walking one while striking out six, and ACU closer Anthony Defrancesco slammed the door in the ninth inning once again to pick up his fourth save.

Justen Burkey finished with three hits and an RBI and run scored.  Manny Villa added a pair of hits and an RBI, Randen Garrison went 1-for-3 with a double, and Ramirez and Ramon Miranda each added one hit and an RBI.

Game Two:

LSUA scored early and often in game two, holding off a late comeback attempt by the Firestorm to earn the win, 12-8 in seven innings.

Jesus Miranda made his first start of the season and took the loss after allowing five runs (three earned) on three hits.  Five relievers combined to tos the final 4-2/3 innings, allowing seven runs on 10 hits while walking three and striking out five.

Miranda went 2-for-4 with a double, two runs scored, and an RBI.  Villa and Kurtis Roberts each added a hit and RBI, and Ramirez added a hit and scored a run.

Thoughts from Coach: 

I was proud of the way we battled the entire night as a team.  We had great defense, pitching, and quality at-bats in the first game, but we gave up too many free passes in game two.  With the series tied up at 3-3 we will get back after it tomorrow and try to win the series."

Up Next:

Coached by Joe McDonald, the Firestorm host LSU - Alexandria for a non-conference doubleheader on Fri., Feb. 19 beginning at 4 p.m. Arizona Time at Apollo High School in Glendale, Ariz.  Spectators are not permitted.