GLENDALE, Ariz. - In a repeat of last night, the ACU baseball team (25-13; 2-2 GSAC) split its double header once again with The Master's University (16-10; 2-2 GSAC) on Saturday, winning game one 7-5 and losing game two 11-1 at Apollo High School.

Series/Game Notes:

ACU moves to 14-32 all-time against The Master's with the split.  With just three teams competing for the GSAC East title (ACU, The Master's, OUAZ), ACU's final series against The Master's April 23-24 will be critical to qualify for the postseason.

Game One:

Both starting pitchers went deep into the game, with ACU's Brett Aker (7-0) going eight innings to earn the win, allowing five runs (four earned) on eight hits while walking one and striking out seven.

The Firestorm trailed 5-2 entering the home half of the eighth inning, but would blow open the game with a five-run eighth inning that included seven hits to take a 7-5 advantage.  ACU closer Anthony Defrancesco, who earned a win yesterday, picked up his six sixth save of the season after throwing a one-two-three ninth with two strikeouts.

Randen Garrison homered in the second inning and also added a two-RBI double to tie things up in the eighth, Brent Smith and Robby Campillo each turned in three-hit performances with one RBI and a run scored each, and Ramon Miranda, Manny Villa, and Roberto Lopez each added a pair of hits.

Game Two:

ACU was held hitless until the fifth inning and couldn't get much offense going in the contest after being held to just five hits total.  The team's lone run came in the seventh inning on an RBI single from Campillo.

Starting pitcher Eli Elliot (2-1) suffered the loss but went 4-2/3 innings and allowed three runs on three hits with no walks and four punch outs.  Five different relievers combined to close the remainder of the contest and allowed eight runs on seven hits while walking three and striking out two.

Villa finished with two hits with Campillo, Joey Martinez, and Damien McElroy each adding one hit.

Thoughts from Coach: 

"We continue to learn about ourselves and this great game we get to play."

Up Next:

Coached by Joe McDonald, the Firestorm continue play with a non-conference game at OUAZ on Tues., March 16 at 5 p.m. Arizona Time in Surprise, Ariz.