PRESCOTT, Ariz. – In one ot the craziest games of the season, No. 3 seed Arizona Christian edged out No. 1 seed Hope International in a thrilling 13-11 victory in the first elimination game of the GSAC Softball Tournament at Eagle Softball Field. The game was marked by high-scoring innings, clutch hitting, and resilient pitching performances.

Hope International jumped to an early 4-0 lead in the first inning, fueled by a three-run home run from Alyssa Castaneda. Arizona Christian responded in the third inning with a three-run rally, highlighted by Dayna Herrera’s two-RBI single and Sierra Lauko’s hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded, narrowing the deficit to 4-3.

Arizona Christian took the lead in the fourth inning, capitalizing on errors and a wild pitch to score three unearned runs, making it 6-4.

The fifth and sixth innings saw both teams trading blows. Hope International’s Castaneda added an RBI single in the fifth, while Arizona Christian’s Christina Grubb delivered an RBI single in the sixth.

Hope International surged 8-7 ahead in the bottom of the sixth with three runs on a two-RBI single by Asia Chacon and an RBI triple from Sarah Reisler.

Arizona Christian mounted a decisive comeback with six runs in the seventh inning. Jyden Miles and Elena Garcia each contributed RBI singles. Herrera drove in a run with a groundout before Christina Grubb added an RBI single. Morgan Bradford capped the inning with an RBI double, giving Arizona Christian what seemed to be a commanding 13-8 lead.

Hope International fought back in the bottom of the seventh, with Natalie Corrales, Vivian Little, and Emma McCraw each driving in runs. The Royals loaded the bases with one out, but were unable to complete the comeback.

Arizona Christian was led by Herrera, who went 4-for-4 with three RBIs while also throwing a complete game in the circle.

The result extends ACU’s tournament run into Wednesday, where they will play another elimination game at 6 p.m. versus the loser of the Park Golbert vs. Embry-Riddle contest.