Lincoln, CA – The Arizona Christian University baseball team (23-19, 10-14) opened up their four game GSAC series against William Jessup (19-20, 8-14) with a doubleheader sweep as they won the first game 9-8 and the second one 4-2 on Friday evening at McBean Park in Lincoln, CA.

Series Notes:

With the sweep the Firestorm improve their record against William Jessup to 16-11.

Game 1:

Evan Massie got the start and pitched 3 1/3 innings while allowing seven runs, six earned on seven hits while striking out two and walking two. Chase Martinez (3-2) picked up the win in relief pitching 4 2/3 innings while allowing two runs on three hits while walking three and striking out six. Trey Tarver picked up his fifth save as he came in and got the last three outs. Kurtis Roberts led the Firestorm's offense going 2-for-4 with 3 RBIs.

The Firestorm jumped on the Warriors early as they opened the scoring in the second inning. With two on and two out Roberts ripped a two-run double to left field to give the Firestorm a 2-0 lead. The Firestorm weren't done as they struck big in the next inning. After putting the first two batters of the inning on Manny Villa drove a single through the left side to make it 3-0. Robby Campillo then delivered a single to right center to increase the lead to 4-0. Marques Titialli then followed with a sac fly as the Firestorm took a 5-0 advantage. Then later in the inning with one out Roberts drove in his third run of the game to make it 6-0. Caleb Beach then wrapped up the scoring with an RBI groundout as the Firestorm increased their lead to 7-0.

The Warriors fought back as they put up four in the bottom of the third to cut the Firestorm advantage to 7-4. After a scoreless top of the fourth the Warriors struck for three runs in the bottom half as they tied the game 7-7. The next two innings were scoreless before Justin Ramirez broke the tie with a two out RBI single to put the Firestorm back on top 8-7 in the seventh inning. Manny Villa then crushed a home run in the eighth inning to give the Firestorm an important insurance run as they took a 9-7 lead into the bottom of the ninth inning. After allowing a run the Firestorm brought in Tarver to close out the game and he did so allowing no hits as the Firestorm prevailed 9-8.

Inside the Box Score:

Roberts: 2-for-4, 3 RBIs

Villa: 2-for-5, 2 RBIs, HR

Ramirez: 1-for-5, RBI

Campillo: 3-for-4, RBI

Titialli: 1-for-2, RBI

Beach: 0-for-5, RBI

Game 2:

Eli Elliot (4-1) threw a complete game as he pitched seven innings allowing two runs on three hits while striking out a season high 11 and walking two. Trey Tarver led the Firestorm's offense going 2-for-3 with 2 RBIs.

The Firestorm got to the Warriors in the first inning as they struck for a big inning. With two outs Robby Campillo ripped a single down the left field line to put the Firestorm up 1-0. Marques Titialli then followed with a double to center to increase the lead to 2-0. Trey Tarver then stepped to the plate and crushed a two-run home run to right field, his second of the year to put the Firestorm on top 4-0.

Eli Elliot then delivered a masterful performance on the mound as he allowed just one hit over the next six innings as the Firestorm took a 4-0 lead into the bottom of the seventh. After recording the first out the Warriors started a rally with a single and walk. Then with two outs they would strike to make it 4-2. Elliot wasn't deterred though as he came back to strike out the final Warriors batter on a full count to finish off the complete game victory.

Inside the Box Score:

Tarver: 2-for-3, 2 RBIs, HR

Campillo: 2-for-3, RBI

Titialli: 2-for-2, RBI

Thought's From Coach:

After the game head coach Joe McDonald stated, "Today was a very good team day as we came through with two tight ball game wins. I really feel like we are heading back on track for the last part of the season."

Up Next:

The Firestorm continue their series against William Jessup with a doubleheader beginning on Saturday, April 2 at 3:00 PM at McBean Park in Lincoln, CA.