SURPRISE, Ariz. - The Ottawa University Arizona baseball team defeated the Simpson University Redhawks in game two of their three game series on Wednesday evening, by a final of 9-4 at the Kansas City Royals Field #1 in Surprise.
With the victory Wednesday, the Spirit move to the .500 mark for the first time in program history at 16-16 overall. With the loss, the Simpson University Redhawks fall to 12-22 overall.
For the second straight night, the Spirit and Redhawks played to a 9-4 final; with OUAZ on the victorious end yet again. The Spirit offense struck early yet again, scoring the games first five runs in the first two innings.
Both pitchers struggled in the third inning, as the Simpson offense struck for three runs on three hits to draw within a pair of runs at 5-3. OUAZ responded with two runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning to take a 7-3 lead.
The Spirit would never look back, as they tallied a run in the fifth inning and another in the sixth inning on their way to a 9-4 victory.
OUAZ starting pitcher
Hayden Durkiewicz (5-0) picked up his team leading fifth victory of the season, going seven innings while allowing three runs on six hits with five strikeouts and a walk. He needed only 86 pitches in his outing, with his only hiccup happening in the three-run third inning.
The offense faired well yet again against Simpson, finishing 15-for-36 at the plate as a team. The 1-2-3 hitters of
Chandler Reynard,
Adrian Salazar, and
Josh Meyer combined to go 6-for-13 at the plate with three runs scored and three RBI's.
Gabe Rios,
Esteban Martinez and
Jared Crockett also finished with multi-hit games.
The Spirit and Redhawks close out their three game series Thursday evening with first pitch scheduled for 5pm at Royals Field #1.
--SPIRIT--
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.
