Lincoln, CA – The Arizona Christian University baseball team (24-20, 11-15) wrapped up their four game series against William Jessup (20-21, 9-15) with a doubleheader split as they won the first game 13-10 and fell 5-4 in the second one on Saturday evening at McBean Park in Lincoln, CA.

Series Notes:

With the split the Firestorm's record against William Jessup moves to 17-12.

Game 1:

Jordan Vickers got the start and pitched 3 1/3 innings while allowing four runs on six hits while striking out two and walking one. Griffin Henry (1-0) picked up his first win of the season in relief pitching 3 1/3 innings while allowing one run on one hit while walking three and striking out five. Justin Ramirez led the Firestorm's offense going 3-for-6 with 3 RBIs.

The Firestorm once again got to the Warriors early as they opened the scoring in the first inning. After Ramirez singled to lead off the game Daniel Durazo blasted a home run to right field to put the Firestorm on top 2-0. Then later in the inning with one out Marques Titialli delivered a single to center to make it 3-0. The Warriors though would respond in the bottom of the second with two runs to pull within 3-2. They would then score two more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to take a 4-3 lead.

This time it would be the Firestorm's turn to strike as they put up a big number in the top of the fifth. With one out the Firestorm tied the game 4-4 on a fielder's choice by Titialli. Two batters later Sean Garcia singled to right to put the Firestorm back on top 5-4. Kurtis Roberts then followed with an RBI single to make it 6-4. Then with two outs Ramirez drove in two runs with a single to right center to give the Firestorm an 8-4 lead. Once again though the Warriors came storming back with five runs in the bottom half to retake the lead at 9-8. The Warriors would then add another run in the seventh to extend their advantage to 10-8.

The Firestorm battled back though as they started a two out rally in the eighth inning with a single by Durazo. Then two batters later Robby Campillo tied the game 10-10 on a ground rule double. The Firestorm would then score two more runs on an error and a double by Trey Tarver as they retook a 12-10 lead. The Firestorm would then add an insurance run in the ninth as Ramirez delivered a one out RBI single to increase their lead to 13-10. Henry then shut down the Warriors in ninth inning while striking out two as the Firestorm prevailed.

Inside the Box Score:

Ramirez: 3-for-6, 3 RBIs

Durazo: 2-for-6, 2 RBIs, HR

Campillo: 4-for-5, 2 RBIs

Titialli: 1-for-5, 2 RBIs

Tarver: 2-for-4, RBI

Garcia: 2-for-5, RBI

Lees: 1-for-2, RBI

Game 2:

Trey Tarver got the start and pitched 6 innings allowing three runs, two earned on four hits while striking out eight. Titialli took the loss in relief pitching 2/3 of an inning allowing two runs on three hits while striking out one and walking two. Titialli led the Firestorm's offense going 1-for-4 with 2 RBIs.

With two outs the Firestorm got on the board in the first inning as Titialli tripled to left center to put the Firestorm ahead early 2-0. The Warriors responded in the bottom of the second on a sac fly to pull within 2-1. Then in the bottom of the sixth the Warriors would score two runs to take a 3-2 lead.

Down to their final out the Firestorm battled back as Ramirez delivered a clutch single up the middle to tie the game 3-3. Durazo then followed with a single to right center to put the Firestorm back on top 4-3. Unfortunately, the Firestorm couldn't hold the lead as the Warriors down to their final out scored two runs as they walked off 5-4.

Inside the Box Score:

Titialli: 1-for-4, 2 RBIs

Ramirez: 2-for-4, RBI

Durazo: 2-for-3, RBI

Thought's From Coach:

After the game head coach Joe McDonald stated, "We showed a lot of fight and resiliency this weekend especially today. I am beyond proud of these guys and we are locked back into playing for each other and playing for the audience of one."

Up Next:

The Firestorm continue their season at home as they take on Menlo in a four game series beginning on April 7 at 7:00 PM Arizona time at Canyon View High School.