MESA, Ariz. – In a tightly contested matchup at Hohokam Stadium, No. 2 seed Arizona Christian emerged victorious over No. 3 seed OUAZ with a 5-4 win in the first game of the 2025 GSAC Baseball Tournament. 

OUAZ struck first in the fifth inning, seizing the lead with a three-run triple by Nicholas Lustig. All three runs were unearned, capitalizing on an error by Arizona Christian earlier in the inning. 

Arizona Christian staged a comeback in the seventh inning with a five-run outburst. Logan Sanders sparked the rally with an RBI double, while a fielding error allowed another run to cross the plate. Jaylen Edmonds followed with a run-scoring single, and Trey Tarver delivered the decisive blow with a two-run home run to right field. 

OUAZ mounted a late-game response in the ninth inning when Nano Perez hit a solo homer, but their effort fell just short.

Arizona Christian's Tarver was a key contributor on both sides, smashing a two-run homer and adding a single to his tally. He also delivered seven strong innings on the mound, striking out six and allowing three unearned runs. Jackson Hohensee secured the victory with his 11th save of the season, pitching the ninth inning and containing OUAZ's late push.

Lustig's three-RBI triple and Perez's home run stood out for OUAZ. Austin Humphres provided a solid start for OUAZ, pitching 6.2 innings while allowing four runs, only one of which was earned, and striking out five.

The win advances ACU to the winner’s bracket semifinal game on Tuesday at noon. OUAZ will be back in action on Monday at 6 p.m. in the first elimination game of the tournament.