Timely Hitting, Grinstead Rolls, Firestorm Sweep

3/27/2026 11:33:00 PM

By: Tim Gooszen

Glendale, Ariz.- In both games on Friday the team's total hits were tied between Arizona Christian and Benedictine Mesa.  But the Firestorm were the most timely with their hits as ACU swept BENU.

Game Info
  • Game one score: Arizona Christian - 9, Benedictine Mesa - 5
  • Game two score: Arizona Christian - 3, Benedictine Mesa - 0
  • Records: Arizona Christian - 24-7, 12-2 GSAC, Benedictine Mesa - 15-19, 5-9 GSAC
  • Location: ACU Softball Field, Arizona Christian University, Glendale, AZ

ACU Game One Stats
  • Brittany McCracken -  2-4, 2B, RBI
  • Elena Garcia - 1-3, 3B, RBI
  • Glory Estabrook - 3-2, run, RBI
  • Christina Grubb - 2 runs, RBI
  • Rachel Martin - 3 runs
  • Dayna Herrera - win

Inside Game One
  • In the bottom of the first five batters safely touched at least first
  • Grubb drove in the first run and McCracken cashed in the second run
  • Avery Slater dropped down a squeeze bunt to plate Grubb for a 3-0 lead
  • The Redhawks and Firestorm exchanged single runs in the second
  • BENU climbed within one at 4-3 before Garcia tripled home Martin
  • A two run homer for Ben Mesa tied the game at 5-5
  • Bradford broke the tie with a sac fly and Slater later scored for a 7-5 edge
  • Two errors allowed ACU to tally the final runs
  • Herrera recorded a strikeout to end the game with runners on for her tenth win of the season
  • Both teams had ten hits

ACU Game Two Stats
  • Grubb - 2-2, 2 RBI
  • Herrera - 2-3, 2B
  • Slater- 2-2, RBI
  • Ashley Madonia - run
  • Alyssa Grinstead - win, 11 K

Inside Game Two
  • Slater started the scoring with an RBI single in the first
  • Madonia scored on a sac bunt by Grubb for a 2-0 edge
  • An RBI single for Grubb scored pinch runner Kate Mann for a 3-0 edge
  • Grinstead did the rest
  • The righty escaped a bases loaded jam in the third and two runners in scoring position in the fourth
  • Beginning with the two strikeouts to end the fourth, Grinstead retired the final 11 batters in order
  • 11 strikeouts is a season best for the Firestorm
  • Grinstead is currently riding a 17.2 scoreless inning streak- the second longest in ACU history

Thoughts from Coach Mayben
"Two important wins today.  Alyssa was dominant in the circle in game two.  Our offense executed at the right times stringing together two out hits and moving runners in scoring position. Two more important games tomorrow to create an opportunity to secure a GSAC tournament berth."

Up Next
The Firestorm and the Redhawks will complete their four game series on Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at 11:00 am.