Four-Year Drought Over, ACU Back In The Show

Lewiston, Idaho - Two days ago, the Arizona Christian University Firestorm officially punched their ticket into the 2024 NAIA Baseball Opening Round, presented by Avista (May 13-16). The at-large selection served up the program's third all-time appearance and first qualification in the tournament since 2019. In addition to Coach Joe McDonald's second time leading ACU Baseball to the national stage, the Firestorm are one of four GSAC teams (Hope International, Jessup, OUAZ the others) whose hopes for a Red Banner were kept alive.

The Firestorm's shot at one of 10 available spots in the 2024 NAIA World Series, presented by Avista (May 24-31) begins with two-seed and #21 Oklahoma City University. One-seed and #5 Lewis-Clark State will host a five-team bracket, with four-seed British Columbia and five-seed Embry-Riddle (AZ) rounding out the field. Like the GSAC Tournament, whoever emerges victorious will have to survive a double-elimination gauntlet.

Two previous championship berths (2012, 2019) amounted to a 2-4 record. The 2019 season, McDonald's first as head coach, remains the Firestorm's most successful in terms of total wins (39). Next week will mark the first time ACU competes in Lewiston (also the site of the NAIA World Series), having played in the golden state of California their previous two trips to nationals.

Arizona Christian enters Lewiston with a .325 BA (28th in NAIA), 5.25 ERA (T-44th in NAIA) and .556 SLG (17th in NAIA). The Firestorm have racked up 452 RBI (8th in NAIA), 567 pitching strikeouts (2nd in NAIA) and 228 extra-base hits (8th in NAIA).

Game Details

RV Arizona Christian vs. #21 Oklahoma City - Monday, May 13 at 2:30 PM
RV Arizona Christian vs. TBD - Tuesday, May 14 at TBD

Harris Field - Lewiston, ID

Tournament Central: https://lcwarriors.com/sports/2022/5/12/OR-bsb-tourney.aspx

*All Times Are Arizona Time

Live Coverage

Video - https://lcwarriors.com/watch
Live Stats - http://naiastats.prestosports.com/sports/bsb/2023-24/boxscores/20240513_by4n.xml

Arizona Christian

Arizona Christian was unable to convert hits into runs early on Tuesday night, and an error-supported deficit added up to a 7-4 loss and GSAC Tournament exit at the hands of rival and four-seed OUAZ. The Firestorm were particularly hurt by the middle portion of the Spirit's lineup (four, five, six), who combined for eight hits and four RBI. It was also an odd night for the usually rhythmic ACU bats, not having consecutive players reach safely until the seventh frame.

Marques Titialii reeled off his third straight three-hit game in the 2024 GSAC Baseball Tournament but did not manage to knock in or score a run for his squad. The elimination contest marked only the fourth time all season the outfielder had at least two hits and did not record an RBI. However, Titialii's 9-for-20 (5 RBI, 2 runs) performance earned him the team's offensive MVP honors for the week.

First baseman Jared Anderson finished with two hits, including his 17th double of the season (4th in GSAC) in the sixth inning.

Tanner Vielguth gave the Firestorm a jolt of energy in the seventh frame, his pinch-hit being a two-run home run that drew Joe McDonald's team to within three (6-3).

Trey Tarver, the game's starting pitcher, registered ACU's final run with an RBI-double in the ninth. The two-base knock assured at least one hit in all three conference tournament games.

ACU Key Players

Marques Titialii - .373 BA, 76 hits, 75 RBIs
Sean Garcia - .359 BA, 42 hits, 20 RBIs
Trey Tarver - .339 BA, 64 hits, 42 RBIs
Kane Kiaunis - .337 BA, 62 hits, 50 RBIs
Andrew Ivy - .337 BA, 56 hits, 39 RBIs
Jared Anderson - .330 BA, 68 hits, 39 RBIs
Ryan Eastham - .325 BA, 40 hits, 36 RBIs
Deshon Thomas - .313 BA, 30 hits, 20 RBIs
Eli Elliott - 3.20 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 96 K
Adrian Santa Cruz - 4.70 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 88 K

Series Notes

Monday afternoon will mark the first ever matchup between the Firestorm and Stars.

Thoughts From Coach Joe McDonald

"We are very grateful for the opportunity to represent Arizona Christian University at the national tournament," Coach McDonald said. "This is a special group and our goals from day one are still in sight. I love this team!"

Oklahoma City

The Oklahoma City University Stars (35-16, 17-7 SAC) finished as the 21st-ranked team in the final NAIA Coaches' Top-25 poll (May 8th) and will be making their 14th all-time appearance in the NAIA Baseball Opening Round. They were runners-up to 1-seed and #14 Mid-America Christian (lost 12-6) in the 2024 SAC Baseball Tournament and earned entry into the Lewiston Bracket via an at-large bid. OCU is one of eight clubs in the 2024 field that have laid claim to a Red Banner (2005 champions).

Keith Lytle's Stars won six of their eight conference series and added eight victories against teams either receiving votes or nationally-ranked to their resume. Four OCU players (Trent Kiraly, Chad Pike, Reese Ratchford, Kade Shatwell) were tabbed First Team All-Conference, Pike also being named SAC Player of the Year.

Heading into Lewiston, Oklahoma City has assembled a .305 BA (T-63 in NAIA), 5.33 ERA (48th in NAIA) and .967 FP (T-26 in NAIA). Additionally, their 324 RBI total ranks 67th, 75 home runs is T-22nd and .512 SLG comes in at 30th in the nation. Kiraly is the top hitter (.374 BA, 67 hits, 59 RBI), Shatwell the top pitcher (2.94 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 46 K) and Kiraly the top fielder (129 putouts, 5 assists, .993 FP).

Roll Storm!

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Players Mentioned

#4 Ryan Eastham: C; 5' 11"; Junior; R/R

#8 Eli Elliott: P; 6' 2"; Senior; R/R

#23 Sean Garcia: IF; 5' 9"; Junior; L/R

#30 Andrew Ivy: OF; 5' 9"; Sophomore; L/L

#13 Adrian Santa Cruz: P; 6' 4"; Senior; R/R

#10 Trey Tarver: P; 6' 3"; Junior; L/L

#2 Deshon Thomas: OF; 6' 2"; Junior; R/R

#11 Marques Titialii: OF; 6' 0"; Senior; R/R

#39 Tanner Vielguth: IF; 6' 3"; Sophomore; R/R

#17 Jared Anderson: OF/1B; 6' 1"; Junior; R/R

#5 Kane Kiaunis: P/OF/IF; 6' 2"; Junior; R/R

Players Mentioned

#4 Ryan Eastham
: 5' 11"; Junior; R/R
: C

#8 Eli Elliott
: 6' 2"; Senior; R/R
: P

#23 Sean Garcia
: 5' 9"; Junior; L/R
: IF

#30 Andrew Ivy
: 5' 9"; Sophomore; L/L
: OF

#13 Adrian Santa Cruz
: 6' 4"; Senior; R/R
: P

#10 Trey Tarver
: 6' 3"; Junior; L/L
: P

#2 Deshon Thomas
: 6' 2"; Junior; R/R
: OF

#11 Marques Titialii
: 6' 0"; Senior; R/R
: OF

#39 Tanner Vielguth
: 6' 3"; Sophomore; R/R
: IF

#17 Jared Anderson
: 6' 1"; Junior; R/R
: OF/1B

#5 Kane Kiaunis
: 6' 2"; Junior; R/R
: P/OF/IF