Glendale, Ariz.- The defense of Arizona Christian was on full display on Tuesday as the Firestorm turned four double plays, threw two runners out at home, produced a perfect relay to gun down a runner at third, and several other great plays to sweep OUAZ.  The game one win locked in ACU's spot in the upcoming GSAC tournament.

Game Info

• Game one score: Arizona Christian - 2, OUAZ - 1
• Game two score: Arizona Christian - 4, OUAZ - 3 (8 inn)
• Records: Arizona Christian - 21-21, 10-8 GSAC, OUAZ - 26-20, 4-14
• NAIA Top 25 ranking: Arizona Christian - not ranked, OUAZ - not ranked
• Location: ACU Softball Field, Arizona Christian University, Glendale, AZ

ACU Game One Stats

• Brenna Henry - 1-2, 2B, 2 RBI
• Nadia Landeros - 1-2
• Morgan Bradford - run
• Joelle Dowdy - run
• Jyden Miles - 1-3
• Elena Garcia - 1-3
• Dayna Herrera - 1-3, CG win

Inside Game One

• Inning one saw ACU turn their first double play (Bradford to Henry at first back across the diamond to Taylor Fogleman)
• The Spirit scored an unearned run in the top of the third
• With two on and two out in the fourth, Henry doubled over the head of the left fielder to plate Dowdy and Bradford
• In the sixth, OUAZ tried to score from second on an infield single and Henry fired home to cut down the runner
• Final big moment came in the seventh when Henry drove to snag a bunt attempt out of the air and threw back to Miles covering at first
• Herrera threw just 79 pitches in her complete game win thanks to the help of her defense

ACU Game Two Stats

• Garcia - 2-4, run
• Bradford - 2-3, run
• Henry - 1-2, 2B, run
• Brittany McCracken - 1-1, 2 RBI
• Sierra Lauko - 1-2, RBI
• Herrera - win

Inside Game Two

• Game two started with the first three batters reaching for the Spirit but Hannah Butcher limited the damage to just one run 
• In the second inning, a lineout double play- Miles to Henry- brought the inning to a close
• An OUAZ double trying to stretch to a triple was turned away on a perfect relay- Kaitlin Terzakos to Bradford to Herrera
• The fourth inning was the magic inning again for the Firestorm
• Two singles and a walk loaded the bases before Bradford scored on a wild pitch
• Rachel Martin walked and McCracken came through as a pinch hitter again with a two RBI single for a 3-1 lead
• Top of five- OUAZ tried a double steal and Martin to Bradford and back to Martin was perfect to nail the runner at the plate
• The Spirit tied the game with two in the sixth but the inning ended with a nice play by Bradford flipping to Miles at second
• In the extra eighth inning, the Firestorm did not allow the Spirit to even advance their runner from second
• ACU cashed in the winning without a hit- sac bunt, walk, hit by pitch, and Lauko induced the walk-off walk
• Herrera earned her second win of the day

Thoughts from Coach Mayben
"Honored to have earned the opportunity to be in the GSAC tournament this year.  Our defense played exceptionally well today.  Dayna was consistent in the circle today.  Brenna was clutch at the plate- driving in the winning runs in game one and then scoring the important third run in game two."

Up Next
The same two teams will play again on Wednesday at the same time of 4:30 pm and at the same place of the ACU Softball Field.