Glendale, Ariz.- The 2024 season will begin in full swing for ACU Softball as they host six games (two double headers and a split doubleheader) in a week. Season 12 of ACU softball begins at the ACU Softball Field on Tuesday with at least game two to be played under the lights.
Game Details
College of Idaho- Tuesday, January 30 at 4:30 pm (DH)
Embry-Riddle (AZ)- Friday, February 2 at 4:00 pm
Carroll (MT)- Friday, February 2 at 6:00 pm
Bushnell- Saturday, February 3 at 5:00 pm (DH)
ACU Softball Field, Arizona Christian University, Glendale, AZ
Live Coverage
Live Video (no live stream for Bushnell DH)- https://www.gsacsportsnetwork.com/azchristian/
Live Stats- https://acufirestorm.com/sidearmstats/softball/summary
Thoughts from Coach Mayben
"We are excited to get out and compete against another opponent. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Coach Mendiola and what he is doing at College of Idaho. He graduated a number of impact seniors last year, but fills those spots with great veteran talent that stayed for 4-5 years and waited for their opportunity. A testament to the community coach has been built there. The past three weeks we have focused on working hard, with enthusiasm. Now we get to bring that out to the field against a top 25 opponent."
Arizona Christian
The Firestorm concluded 2023 with a record of 34-17 overall and 15-9 in GSAC play. Both win totals are the second most in program history. The 2024 edition of the Firestorm will feature 17 returners and 14 newcomers. Claire Buckley should lead the offensive charge again. Savannah Smith returns to the circle after a record breaking season in 2023. Buckley and Jyden Miles return as GSAC Gold Glovers to lead the defensive effort. Some of the top newcomers include Dayna Herrera, Elena Garcia, and Reina Gonzalez.
Key Returning ACU Players
Buckley - .390, 7 HR, 46 RBI, 17 steals
Miles - .360, 6 2B, 22 steals
Miranda Hipolito - .318, 2 HR, 27 RBI
Abbi Covalt- .287, HR, 7-7 steals
Smith - 21-12, 202.1 innings, 2.46 ERA, 213 strikeouts
Trinity Lawson - 11-5, 124.1 innings, 49 strikeouts
Series Notes
Against College of Idaho, the Yotes have won 11 of the 13 meetings including the last three. Five of the last seven years Arizona Christian has opened their season playing against College of Idaho.
The Firestorm are 24-11 against Embry-Riddle (AZ). The teams split their doubleheaders with the home team sweeping in 2023.
Versus Carroll (MT), ACU holds a 7-2 all-time record with their last meeting in 2022- an ACU sweep.
Bushnell and Arizona Christian have only met once on a neutral field in 2013. Bushnell (then Northwest Christian) won the game 1-0.
College of Idaho
The NAIA number 13 ranked Yotes swept Park-Gilbert 10-2 and 10-0 on Monday afternoon to open their season. In 2023, C of I ended up 49-10 and advanced to the NAIA Opening Round.
Embry-Riddle (AZ)
The Eagles will open their season on Thursday when they face Vanguard and Carroll. The games will be played at Arizona Christian. On Friday, they will face College of Idaho before meeting up with the Firestorm. A season ago, they were 37-16, won a Cal Pac Regular Season and Tournament championship, and advanced to the NAIA Opening Round.
Carroll (MT)
The Fightin' Saints will open their season at Park-Gilbert on Wednesday. They will then play three games on the ACU Softball Field on Thursday and Friday before playing the Firestorm. They concluded 2023 with a 20-28 record.
Bushnell
The Beacons will open their season at Benedictine Mesa on Thursday. They will play at OUAZ on Friday before ending up at ACU on Saturday. Bushnell was 11-37 in the 2023 season.
Roll Storm!
