Glendale, Ariz.- Timely hitting, solid pitching, and strong defense led Arizona Christian to a sweep of Menlo on Saturday.

Game Info

• Game one score: Arizona Christian - 3, Menlo - 1
• Game two score: Arizona Christian - 5, Menlo - 3
• Records: Arizona Christian - 21-12, 7-5 GSAC, Menlo - 10-22, 2-10 GSAC
• NAIA Top 25 ranking: Arizona Christian - not ranked, Menlo - not ranked
• Location: ACU Softball Field, Arizona Christian University, Glendale, AZ

ACU Game One Stats

• Taylor Schleisman - 2B, 2 RBI
• Kirsten Garcia - 1-3, 2B, SB
• Kaitlyn Anderson - 1-2, RBI
• Jyden Miles - 1-3, SB
• Taylor Alto - 1-3
• Savannah Smith - 6 IP, run, win
• Trinity Lawson - 1 IP, save

Inside Game One

• Smith pitched around bases loaded/one out in the first and runner at third/one out in the second without allowing a run
• ACU had a few chances early but did not score
• Garcia doubled to right in the fourth and scored on an Anderson single back up the middle
• In the fifth, Joelle Dowdy and Claire Buckley both walked before Schleisman smacked a double to center to drive in both for a 3-0 lead
• The Oaks chased Smith with a single (scored on a wild pitch) before Lawson earned her first collegiate save

ACU Game Two Stats

• Allie Fryklund - 3-3, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI
• Buckley - 3-4, RBI
• Miles - 2-3
• Monique Zarate - 1-3, 2B
• Alto - 1-4, run, RBI
• Helen Hayes - 5.2 relief innings, one run, win

Inside Game Two

• The Oaks started game two with a triple and two batters later scored
• A bases loaded groundout in the second gave Menlo a 2-0 lead
• Zarate doubled (Dowdy pinch ran) and Buckley singled to bring ACU within a run in the bottom half of the second
• Score remained the same until the Oaks plated a third run in the fifth
• In the bottom of the fifth, Buckley scored on a Miles single
• Alto cashed in Miles with a single
• Fryklund split the gap in right center with a triple to score Alto and Garcia to cap off the four run inning
• Hayes retired six of the last seven batters she faced to seal the deal
• Saturday completed the halfway mark of GSAC play

Thoughts from Coach Mayben

"We are proud of the way our team came together and played today.  Pitchers were more efficient in the circle.  Defense was solid all day, and our offense got enough timely hits to win two important GSAC games."

Up Next

The second half of the GSAC schedule begins with Arizona Christian hosting Hope International on Friday.  First pitch from the ACU Softball Field will come at 11:00 am.