POWAY, Calif. - The Ottawa University Arizona baseball team dropped the first game of a three game series at the University of Saint Katherine on Friday afternoon by a final of 6-1 in seven-innings in Poway, California.

"Today, we just got flat beat," said OUAZ head baseball coach Tim Montez. "Somtimes you just have to tip your cap to the opposing pitcher when he attacks and commands the zone like he did. I thought we were flat coming off the bus and not very tough minded ."

Montez continued, "We have a chance to answer back tomorrow. One bright spot for us today was the job Riley Grivette did out of the bullpen to keep the game within striking distance."

With the loss Friday, the Spirit drop to 12-16 overall. With the victory, the University of Saint Katherine improves to 21-11 overall.

The Firebirds jumped on OUAZ starting pitcher Cole Anderson in the bottom of the first inning and never looked back. Saint Katherine's first four hitters of the game all reached base and drove in and/or scored the first two runs of the ballgame to give the Firebirds the early 2-0 lead.

The Spirit answered back with a run of their own in the top of the second inning, when Greg Saenz led the inning off by reaching base on a Firebird error. Saenz would later come around to score on an RBI single by Race Traynor.

The University of Saint Katherine offense would not go away, as they responded with three more runs in the bottom of the second inning to take a 5-1 lead. 

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Blake Chandler hit a two-out homerun to give the Firebirds some insurance at 6-1.

Saint Katherine outhit the Spirit 12-2 in the series opener.

Cole Anderson took the loss on the mound for OUAZ, lasting two innings while allowing five runs; four earned on eight hits with one strikeout.

The Spirit and Firebirds will finish up their three game series on Saturday afternoon, with a doubleheader of two nine-inning games. Game one Saturday is scheduled to begin at 12 noon.
   
 
 
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.