TUCSON, Ariz. - The Ottawa University Arizona baseball team split their games Saturday at the Tucson Invitational. The Spirit fell to the 16th ranked University of Jamestown by a final of 4-1 and then defeated Bethesda University of California by a final of 9-7.

With the split, OUAZ now sits at 12-15 on the year.

"We had a good week and I am proud of my staff and the way our guys competed," said OUAZ head baseball coach Tim Montez. "Anytime you can win three out of four games, that's a solid week of baseball; especially when two of those wins were on the road."

Montez continued, "We need to get some rest and get healthy as we have a few guys banged up. We get back at it again on Tuesday at home against Arizona Christian University. Then we head back out on the road later in the week."

@OUAZSB vs (#16) University of Jamestown

The 16th ranked Jamestown Jimmies showed why they are among the elite teams in the NAIA on Saturday afternoon, holding the Spirit to just one run on five hits.

Jamestown struck for their first run of the game in the top of the second inning and then quickly added a second run the very next inning. OUAZ got on the board in the bottom of the fifth inning, when Gabe Rios hit a solo homerun to draw the Spirit within a run of the Jimmies.

Jamestown put the game out of reach for good, with a two-run top of the seventh inning. The Jimmies would hold their lead and take the game by a final of 4-1.

OUAZ starter Miguel Cirino took the tough luck loss; lasting six innings while allowing two runs on four hits with four strikeouts and three walks. 

@OUAZBSB vs Bethesda University of California

The second game of the day was another huge contest for the Spirit. OUAZ was matching up against NCCAA West Regional member; Bethesda University of California for the fourth time in a little more than a week. The Spirit dropped two of three in Anaheim, California the week before to the Flames.

OUAZ was able to even the season series at 2-2, with their 9-7 victory over the Flames in a neutral site game.

The Spirit offense struck for seven runs in the first three innings and never looked back. It was a tight game down the stretch, as Bethesda clawed their way back into the game. But OUAZ never surrendered the lead and held on for the 9-7 win.

Hayden Durkiewicz picked up his fourth win of the season, going five innings while allowing four runs; one earned on nine hits with two strikeouts and a walk. Tyler Collins picked up the two-inning save, while allowing a run on two hits.

Offensively for OUAZ, Jared Crockett finished 3-for-4 at the plate with two RBI's and two runs scored. The 1-2 hitters in the OUAZ order of Chandler Reynard and Adrian Salazar combined to finish 3-for-5 at the plate with four RBI's, three runs scored, three stolen bases and three walks.

The Spirit and Flames are not scheduled to play eachother again in the regular season, but could meet later in the year at the NCCAA West Regional; with dates and location to be determined.


The Spirit return home this Tuesday, when they host crosstown rival Arizona Christian University. First pitch is scheduled for 6pm at the Kansas City Royals practice field in Surprise.
   
 
 
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 4,000 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.