TUCSON, Ariz. - The Ottawa University Arizona baseball team won both of their games Friday afternoon at the Tucson Spring Invitational. OUAZ defeated Grand View University 6-3 in their first game of the day and then defeated #24 St. Cloud State University by a final of 8-4.

With the victories Friday, the Spirit improve to 6-11 overall and now have won three straight games.

"We had a good day today up and down the lineup and we got good starting pitching and played fairly clean defense; that's always a recipe for good things to happen," said OUAZ head baseball coach Tim Montez. "I was proud of the way the guys came out ready to play, especially after having a bye weekend. Even though we are not officially in a conference until 2019, we have broken our schedule down so we have the right mindset moving forward. For our guys, conference play started today and what we did before today was our nonconference schedule."

Montez continued, "In 2019, our conference schedule will be back-to-back doubleheaders, so this is a perfect way to get ready and now we have a chance to win the weekend series tomorrow. We still have a long ways to go, but we are getting better every week and that's all you can ask for as a coach."

 
@OUAZBSB vs Grand View University
 
OUAZ kept it close against a tough Grand View University squad in their first game on Friday afternoon. Through six innings of play, the Spirit and Vikings were all even at 2-2. The OUAZ offense broke out the final three innings and outscored Grand View University 4-1, to win the game by a final of 6-3. In the victory, OUAZ was outhit 11-6, but the Spirit were able to capitalize on the five errors made by Grand View.

OUAZ starting pitcher Cole Anderson went seven innings, while allowing just three runs on 11 hits with four strikeouts in the victory. Colton Follett picked up the two inning save, going spotless in relief of Anderson while finishing with four strikeouts and a walk.

Austin Shumaker finished game one 1-for-3 at the plate, with a walk, a stolen base, two runs scored and a strikeout.
 
 
@OUAZBSB vs St. Cloud State University
 
In their second game of the day, the Spirit took on NCAA Division II St. Cloud State University from Minnesota; who are ranked #24 in the NCAA Division II Top 25 Poll. The Spirit offense struck first for a run in the top of the first inning and never looked back.

OUAZ starting pitcher Hayden Durkiewicz had a strong showing on the mound, as the lefty went six innings while allowing zero runs on four hits with three strikeouts and two walks in the win. 

Offensively the Spirit struck for their eight runs on 15 hits and capitalized on the three errors by St. Cloud State University. 

Chandler Reynard finished 3-for-5 at the plate, with two RBI's, two runs scored, two stolen bases, and a walk. Greg Saenz, Adrian Salazar, Ryan Mortensen, and Daniel Cardenas all finished with two hits a piece.
 
The Spirit return to action on Saturday afternoon, for another pair of games at the Tucson Invitational. OUAZ will face NCAA Division II Southwest Minnesota State University at 1:30pm, followed by a game against Presentation Colllege at 5pm.
 
   
 
 
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.