Glendale, Ariz.- A big comeback by Arizona Christian highlighted by a grand slam led to a game one walk-off win against No. 7 Oregon on Friday afternoon.  The Firestorm earned a split after being unable to hold-off the Owls in the day cap.
 
Game Info

• Game one score: Arizona Christian- 6, Oregon Tech- 5 (8 inn)
• Game two score: Oregon Tech- 5, Arizona Christian - 3
• Records: Arizona Christian- 1-3, Oregon Tech- 2-2
• NAIA Top 25 ranking: Arizona Christian - not ranked, Oregon Tech- 7
• Location: ACU Softball Field, Arizona Christian University, Glendale, AZ

 
ACU Game One Stats

• Neeley Bell- 2-4, grand slam home run
• Taylor Alto- 1-3, run
• Abbi Covalt- 1-3, run
• Kaitlyn Anderson- 1-2, 2B
• Brenna Henry- walk-off sacrifice fly
• Savannah Smith- win

 
Inside Game One

• Smith allowed just two base runners in the first three innings
• In the fourth and fifth innings, OIT broke through with two and three runs
• The comeback was on in the sixth as Ryann Reese scored on a Schleisman fielder's choice
• Alto and Covalt singled to load the bases before Bell smashed her first ACU home run to straight away center to tie the score at five
• Kaitlyn Terzakos corralled a line drive in right before completing the double play at first to slow a OIT threat in seventh
• After the Owls failed to score in the top of the eighth, the Firestorm loaded the bases and Henry drove in Schleisman with a sac fly for the win

 
ACU Game Two Stats

• Jyden Miles- 1-4, 3B, run
• Miranda Hipolito- 2-3, 2B
• Taylor Schleisman- 1-3, 2B
• Trinity Lawson- 5 scoreless innings

 
Inside Game Two

• Miles kept the ACU scoring going as she tripled (and scored on an error) leading off the bottom of the first inning
• In the fourth, a pair of sacrifice flies by Covalt and Anderson scored Schleisman and Hipolito for a 3-0 cushion
• ACU retired two of the first three batters in the seventh and needed one out for the sweep
• But the No. 7 Owls fought back and scored five runs
• The Firestorm were unable to counter in the bottom of the inning

 
Thoughts from Coach Mayben
 
"We are growing… it took a lot of adjustments at the plate and grit to come back in game one.  OIT demonstrated the same grit in game two.  We are proud of our ability to go toe-to-toe with a couple of the top teams in the country.  Working toward learning how to finish with confidence and poise."
 
Up Next
On Saturday morning, the Firestorm will turn right around and host Park-Gilbert. Only one game will be played between the teams with first pitch coming at 10:00 am.