Glendale, Ariz. - Extra-base hits (10) seem to be synonymous with ACU Baseball, as the Firestorm once again leaned on their hot offensive attack to sweep SAGU American Indian College (15-2, 7-0) on Saturday night. By taking both of a double header, the Firestorm also completed a season sweep (4-0) of the Warriors, a program in its inaugural season.

Marques Titialii, the reigning career home run king, created more history in the long-ball category. With his three-run shot in Game 1, the senior outfielder surpassed his own record and program record for most home runs in a single season (18 in 2023). Another ball was tattooed over the fence in Game 2 to lift Titialii's season total to 20 (1st in GSAC, T-3 in NAIA) with six regular-season games and postseason still remaining.

Matthew Beckworth nearly hit for the cycle in Game 1 (only missed a triple) and batted in three runs. Ryan Eastham made his plate appearances worthwhile in Game 2, opening with a two-RBI double and ending with a two-run homer to come in second to Titialii in RBI for the day.

Andrew Ivy was consistent yet again (.377 BA, 10th in GSAC) in his plate production, with three hits that sent in two runs. Tanner Vielguth, playing first base, rocketed his sixth home run of 2024 in Game 1 while Riley Quinton and Sean Garcia each hit twice.

Kane Kiaunis was granted his first win of the season, relieving Trey Tarver in Game 1 and only surrendering one hit in two innings. Eli Elliott then pitched his fourth shutout of the season and picked up his fifth win of 2024. The senior now shoulders the following stat line: 2.48 ERA (1st in GSAC, 27th in NAIA) and 83 K (2nd in GSAC, T-12 in NAIA). 

GAME INFO

Score 1: RV Arizona Christian 15 | SAGU American Indian College 2 (7 INN)
Score 2: RV Arizona Christian 7 | SAGU American Indian College 0 (7 INN)
Records: RV ACU 27-16 (12-9 GSAC) | SAGU AIC 7-30
Location: Greenway High School - Glendale, AZ

STAT TRACKER (GAME 1 & 2)

Marques Titialii - 4 hits, 6 RBI, 2 home runs
Matthew Beckworth - 3 hits, 3 RBI, 1 home run
Andrew Ivy- 3 hits, 2 RBI, 3 runs
Ryan Eastham - 2 hits, 4 RBI, 1 home run
Tanner Vielguth - 1 hit, 2 RBI, 1 home run
Riley Quinton - 2 hits, 2 runs, 1 double
Sean Garcia - 2 hits, 1 RBI, 1 double
Jaylen Edmonds - 1 hit, 2 RBI, 2 runs
Kane Kiaunis - 2.0 IP, 0 RA, 1 K
Eli Elliott - 5.0 IP, 0 RA, 7 K

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE (GAME 1)

The Warriors led off with two singles (Diego Mares, Justin Stockton) before Tarver worked a groundout and struck out two batters to silence a potential scare. ACU was neutralized to a 1, 2, 3 first inning.

After Kiaunis was effective in his first inning of relief (two force outs and a strikeout), the Firestorm got rolling with a sequence of single, double and home run. Vielguth finished the three run frame with a two-run bomb with Beckworth on second base.

Pedro Camacho doubled in the lead off spot, but Kiaunis would strand two runners (Stockton was walked) thanks to Edward Aceves being doubled up with a grounder to Edmonds at second. ACU left two runners on the pond in the third.

SAGU AIC temporarily made it a game in the fourth, Jordon King smashing a two-run home run over the head of Titialii to see the scoreboard read 3-2 Firestorm. Evan Hieb struck out the next two batters to limit the damage to two.

Beckworth led off the fourth with a solo home run, and ignited a gargantuan seven-run inning. Four hits, featuring a three-run homer by Titalii, and one error later, the Firestorm were up 10-2.

Harrison Howell was efficient in the fifth, retiring the Warrior side in order while only offering five pitches. ACU then added three more their next time up, Titialii paying off an Ivy single with one of his own and walks and wild pitches aiding the final two runs.

Ivy's third hit of the ball game was the most potent, a two-run knock in the sixth to provide the final tally.

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE (GAME 2)

The first three innings were scoreless, as the Firestorm and Warriors combined for four hits and seven left on base. 

SAGU AIC's Manuel Frias-Moreno registered their fourth hit of the contest, but Elliott did not budge and retired the proceeding three batters. ACU finally broke the glass in the fourth, Garcia and Eastham matching each with doubles after Deshon Thomas led off being hit by a pitch. Through four complete, the Firestorm held a 2-0 advantage.

Elliott penned his sixth and seventh strikeouts in the fifth frame, now the fifth time he has recorded at least that many punchouts this season. Titialii authored his 20th home run of 2024 in the same inning, this one a two-run shot following an Ivy walk. With two outs and an error that enabled Thomas to reach first, Garcia singled and Eastham ripped a two-run home run clean over the center wall.

Jackson Van Eyk closed out the night in the seventh by stranding a runner at first on a fielder's choice to second.

THOUGHTS FROM COACH JOE MCDONALD

"We got a lot of production from many guys this week to be able to continue our winning ways," Coach McDonald said. "We will do it as a team and continue to look to improve. Next week is a huge week and we will be ready to go."

NEXT FOR THE FIRESTORM

Arizona Christian will make their way over to Gene Autry Park for a Tuesday night clash with RV Benedictine Mesa (28-10, 16-2 Cal Pac). This game begins a six-game final stretch of the regular season, with five on the road for the Firestorm. First pitch from Mesa is scheduled for 6:00 PM. Don't miss a single play with live stats at https://portal.stretchinternet.com/benumesa/ and watch the broadcast at https://portal.stretchinternet.com/benumesa/.
    
                          
Roll Storm!