PASADENA, Calif. - The Ottawa University Arizona baseball team defeated Providence Christian College on Wednesday afternoon by a final of 22-1 in Pasadena, California.

With the victory, the Spirit improve to 8-12 overall on the year. With the loss, the Providence Christian College Sea Beggars fall to 9-14 overall.

"Today was a day of firsts, as we continue with our inaugural season," said OUAZ head baseball coach Tim Montez. "We were very disciplined at the plate and we put a lot of good swings together today."

Montez continued, "Of course everything starts with pitching and defense, and Hayden Durkiewicz set the tone with very efficient innings and we played clean defense behind him. Our guys can enjoy this victory for the next 12 hours, before we get back to the diamond tomorrow morning against Bethesda University of California."

It was a close game Wednesday through three innings, as the Spirit and Sea Beggars were even at 0-0. The OUAZ bats came to life in the top of the fourth inning and never looked back. The Spirit struck for two runs in the fourth inning, eight runs in the fifth inning, six runs in the sixth inning, two in the seventh, and another four runs in the ninth inning. In all, the Spirit scored a school record 22 runs in the road victory at Providence Christian College. 

The offense finished with 19 hits and every offensive starter finished with at least one hit apiece. Greg Saenz finished the day 3-for-4 at the plate with three RBI's, two runs scored and a homerun. Overall, the Spirit hit five homeruns in the game.

OUAZ starting pitcher Hayden Durkiewicz (2-0) picked up the victory, lasting six innings while allowing just one run on four hits with three strikeouts.

The Spirit return to action tomorrow (Thursday) March 8^th, to begin a three game series at Bethesda University of California in Anaheim. First pitch is scheduled for 10:30am Arizona time.
   
 
 
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.