FULLERTON, Calif. - The Ottawa University Arizona softball team dropped both games on Thursday afternoon at Hope International University. The Royals took game one by a final of 6-5, before claiming a 9-0 game two victory.

With the losses, the Spirit fall to 1-7 overall. With the victories, the Royals improve to a perfect 6-0 on the young season.

In game one, Hope International jumped on the Spirit early with a pair of runs in the first inning and another run in the third inning to claim a 3-0 lead. OUAZ was able to respond with three unearned runs in the fifth inning on an error and a passed ball to even the game at 3-3.

The Royals quickly responded with three more runs of their own in the bottom half of the fifth to take a 6-3 lead. OUAZ's Bailey Honne pinch hit in the top of the seventh and drove in two runs on a single, but the Spirit would fall 6-5.

KaeLynn Miller finished 1-for-3 at the plate for the Spirit in the nine-hole and scored two runs. Sabrina Jimenez went all six innings in the circle allowing six runs; five earned on nine hits with two strikeouts.

In game two, the Royals came out strong and never looked back. Hope International struck for two runs in the first, four runs in the second, and three more runs in the fourth inning to seal the 9-0 run-rule victory in five innings. 

Royals starting pitcher Jamie Ponce was perfect in the circle for HIU, lasting all five innings while not allowing a single hit and finishing with two strikeouts and zero walks.

The Spirit remain in the state of California for the weekend, as they take part in the SoCal NAIA Classic in West Covina, California this Friday through Sunday. On Friday, OUAZ will square off against La Sierra University at 12 noon Arizona time, before facing Northwest Christian University at 4pm Arizona time.
   
 
About Ottawa University
Founded in 1865, Ottawa University prepares professional and liberal arts graduates for lifetimes of personal significance, vocational fulfillment and service to God and humanity within a Christ-inspired community of grace and open inquiry. Ottawa University is a comprehensive, not-for-profit educational institution serving 3,000 students through its residential campuses in Ottawa, Kan., and Surprise, Ariz., and adult campuses in Overland Park, Kan.; Phoenix, Queen Creek and Surprise, Ariz.; Brookfield, Wis.; Jeffersonville, Ind.; as well as online. For more information, visit www.ottawa.edu. 
 
For more information about OUAZ athletics, visit http://www.ottawa.edu/ouaz/athletics. Follow OUAZ athletics on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/OUAZSpiritAthletics/ and on Twitter twitter.com/OUAZSpirit.