Fullerton, CA – The Arizona Christian University baseball team (17-7, 6-3) split a doubleheader against San Diego Christian (6-20, 3-6) as they lost the first game 10-5 and came from behind to win 21-7 in the second game on Saturday evening at Amerige Park in Fullerton, CA. The first doubleheader on Friday was rained out and the Saturday games had to be moved to a neutral venue.

Series Notes:

With the split the Firestorm record against San Diego Christian moves to 22-26.

Game 1:

Sergio Heguertty (3-2) took the loss pitching six innings while allowing five earned runs on eight hits while striking out four with no walks. Robby Campillo led the Firestorm's offense going 2-for-4 with one RBI.

The Firestorm got on the board first in the top of the second as Marques Titialli drove a single up the middle to make it 1-0. The Hawks though would answer in the bottom of the fourth to tie the game 1-1 on a solo home run. They would then take a 2-1 lead on a fielder's choice in the next inning. This time it would be the Firestorm who would fight back as they loaded the bases and scored two runs on a base hit by Campillo and a sac fly by Tarver to retake the lead at 3-2 in the top of the sixth.

The Hawks would answer in the bottom half of the inning as they put up three more runs to take a 5-3 lead. They would then add four more in the bottom of the seventh to make it 9-3 and they weren't done there as they tacked on another in the eight to make it 10-3. The Firestorm didn't give up though as Sean Garcia hit an RBI triple to make it 10-4. He would then score later in the inning on a wild pitch to make it 10-5 but that's as close as the Firestorm would get as they fell in game one.

Inside the Box Score:

Campillo: 2-for-4, RBI

Garcia: 2-for-4, RBI

Titialli: 1-for-4, RBI

Tarver: 0-for-2, RBI

Game 2:

Evan Massie got the start and pitched just 1 1/3 innings while allowing six runs, five earned on five hits while striking out three. Trey Tarver (5-1) picked up the win in relief pitching two innings while allowing just one hit and striking out six. Marques Titialli led the Firestorm's offense going 3-for-6 with 6 RBIs.

The Hawks took the early lead as they got to Massie putting up four in the bottom of the first to make it 4-0. They would then add three more in the bottom of the second as they increased their lead to 7-0. The Firestorm clawed their way back into the game as Titialli delivered a huge three run home run to narrow the lead to 7-3. Then just one inning later the Firestorm tied the game as Titialli crushed another three run home run after an RBI single by Oliver Frias to make it 7-7 heading into the sixth inning.

The Firestorm would then take the lead with a huge output in the top of the sixth. With the bases loaded and one out Campillo crushed a grand slam to right to put the Firestorm up 11-7. The Firestorm would add another run on an error before loading the bases again. This time it was Justin Ramirez who cleared the bases to increase the Firestorm advantage to 15-7. After scoring another run on an error it was Manny Villa's turn and he delivered hitting a home run to left to make it 18-7 as part of an 11 run inning. The Firestorm would then tack on three more runs in the seventh on RBI singles by Grant Henry and Brett Wagner and a wild pitch as they went on to win 21-7.

Inside the Box Score:

Titialli: 3-for-6, 6 RBIs

Campillo: 3-for-5, 4 RBIs

Ramirez: 2-for-4, 2 RBIs

Villa: 2-for-5, 2 RBIs

Henry: 1-for-1, RBI

Frias: 2-for-4, RBI

Wagner: 1-for-1, RBI

Thoughts from Coach:

After the game Head Coach Joe McDonald stated, "After getting beat in game 1 and being down 7-0 in game 2, our team really showed some fight, battle and tenacity that we can use going forward."

Up Next:

The Firestorm return home to face Clarke University on Monday, March 7 at 6:00pm Arizona time at Canyon View High School in Waddell, AZ