SURPRISE, Ariz. - The Ottawa University Arizona baseball team completed the series sweep of the Simpson University Redhawks on Thursday evening, by a final of 13-4 on George Brett Field at the Surprise Stadium Complex in Surprise.

With the victory, the Spirit climb to above the .500 mark for the first time in program history and improve to 17-16 overall. With the loss, the Simpson Redhawks fall to 12-23 overall.



The Spirit offense jumped on Simpson from the early get-go yet again in the series finale Thursday, on their way to a 13-4 victory. OUAZ scored six runs in the first three innings, and then tacked on four more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning before the Redhawks were able to finally get on the board.

Spirit starting pitcher Miguel Cirino earned the win on the mound, lasting five innings while surrendering just four hits. Cirino also finished with four strikeouts. Dylan Chelini came in to relieve Cirino and allowed all four runs in just two-thirds of an inning of work. The rest of the bullpen pulled through, as Devon Lindley, Riley Grivette, and Zack Mcleod combined to toss 3.1 innings of shutout ball, allowing only three hits.

Offensively in the win, the Spirit struck for 13 runs on 18 hits. Every offensive starter for the Spirit recorded at least one hit in the victory Thursday. Adrian Salazar finished 3-for-5 at the plate with two RBI's and two runs scored and he stole a base.

The Spirit will take a short break in observance of the Easter holiday. OUAZ returns to the field next Thursday April 5^th, when they host crosstown rival Arizona Christian University at 6pm inside of Surprise Stadium.

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.