Softball Tim Gooszen

Firestorm Sweeps No. 12 Royals, Wins Season Series

Glendale, Ariz.- On Saturday, pitching and timely hitting led to an Arizona Christian sweep over NAIA number 12 ranked Hope International on Saturday.  By taking three of four games against the Royals this weekend, the Firestorm won the season series.

Game Info
  • Game one score: Arizona Christian - 5, Hope International - 4
  • Game two score: Arizona Christian - 3, Hope International - 1
  • Records: Arizona Christian - 8-10, 3-1 GSAC, Hope International - 11-5, 1-2 GSAC
  • NAIA Top 25 ranking: Arizona Christian - not ranked, Hope International - 12
  • Location: ACU Softball Field, Arizona Christian University, Glendale, AZ

ACU Game One Stats
  • Sierra Lauko - 2-3, HR, 2B, 2 RBI
  • Morgan Bradford- 2-3
  • Elena Garcia - 1-3, 2 RBI
  • Jyden Miles - 1-3, run
  • Dayna Herrera - CG win

Inside Game One
  • With one out in the first, Bradford singled and Lauko cranked her second home run of the season for a 2-0 lead
  • Herrera helped her cause with a sacrifice fly to score Miles for a 3-0 edge
  • The Royals scored the next four to grab a 4-3 lead 
  • Chasing one to tie and two for the lead in the sixth, Garcia chose option two and singled to drive home Taylor Fogleman and Mekhia Wagner
  • HIU put runners at second and third in the seventh before Herrera ended the game with a strikeout for win four on the season

ACU Game Two Stats
  • Garcia - 2-3, 2B, RBI
  • Miles - 2-4
  • Herrera - 2-4, save
  • Nadia Landeros - 2-4, RBI
  • Bradford - 1-2, run
  • Kaitlin Terzakos - 1-2, 2B, run
  • Hannah Butcher- win

Inside Game Two
  • The Royals scored four batters into the game and did not score again
  • ACU sent eight to the plate in the fourth inning and scored three
  • Lauko dropped a sac bunt that scored Garcia
  • Landeros singled to deliver Bradford home and end the scoring
  • Butcher fought through runners on base in every inning but one
  • With two on and two out in the seventh, Herrera came on relief and induced a fly out to collect save number one on the season

Thoughts from Coach Mayben
"Proud of our consistency and composure this weekend. Dayna and Hannah were stellar in the circle today, while our offense supported them with consistent base runners and timely hitting."

Up Next
The Firestorm will continue GSAC play as they travel to Park Gilbert on Friday.  Friday's doubleheader will be played at McQueen Park in Gilbert.  The teams will face off at Valley Christian High School on Saturday.