MESA, Ariz. – Hope International secured a 5-2 victory over No. 4 seed The Master’s in a well-executed performance in a GSAC Baseball Tournament elimination game at Hohokam Stadium on Tuesday. The top-seeded Royals capitalized on timely hitting and strong pitching to avenge Monday’s loss to the Mustangs and cap a strange day that started with the completion of a game that began on Monday night.

It was Hope International that struck first when Branden Chun-Ming scored on a wild pitch in the second inning to give the Royals a 1-0 lead. They extended their advantage in the third inning as Chun-Ming singled to center field, driving in David Shackelford. Moments later, Josiah Chavez added an RBI single to make it 3-0.

The Master’s countered in the fourth inning with a two-run homer from Tommy Gwinn to cut the deficit to 3-2.

Hope International regained control in the sixth inning when Amari Bartee delivered a sacrifice fly. The Royals added an insurance run in the seventh inning with another RBI single from Chavez, making their lead 5-2.

Chun-Ming, who went 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored, led the Royals, while Chavez contributed two RBIs on two hits.

Hope International’s Jesus Munguia earned the win on the mound, pitching six innings while allowing two runs on seven hits and striking out seven. Mario Tostado closed the game with three scoreless innings, striking out three and securing his first save of the season.

Hope International heads into Wednesday needing to beat Arizona Christian two times to win the title. That quest begins when the first game starts at 11 a.m.