SURPRISE, Ariz. - The Ottawa University Arizona baseball team split their doubleheader on Thursday evening with the 4^th ranked University of Saint Katherine Firebirds at Surprise Stadium. Saint Katherine took game one by a final of 11-7, before OUAZ rallied to win game two 9-6.
 
With the split, the move to 19-18 overall. With the split, the 4^th ranked Firebirds from the University of Saint Katherine move to 28-14 overall.



Game One
 
The Spirit struck first on Thursday, attacking the Firebird defense to the tune of three runs in the first two innings, to take the early 3-0 lead.
 
The story in game one was the two big offensive innings that the University of Saint Katherine were able to put together. The Firebird offense struck for four runs in the fourth inning, off OUAZ starter Zack Mcleod.
 
Saint Katherine struck again in the top of the eighth inning, when they scored five runs against OUAZ. Four of the five runs came off Spirit reliever Tyler Collins; who suffered the loss.
 
In the game one defeat, OUAZ fell 11-7, but they did outhit the Firebirds 15 to 13.
 
The Spirit offense was led by Jared Crockett in game one, who finished 2-for-4 at the plate with two RBI's.
 
Game Two
 
In the second game of Thursday's doubleheader, the Spirit attacked the Firebirds early and often. OUAZ scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning and never looked back. Chandler Reynard opened the inning with a walk and would later come around to score the game's first run on a Josh Meyer single. Two more runs would come across on a sacrifice bunt and a single to give OUAZ the early 3-0 lead.
 
Saint Katherine wasted no time and quickly responded with three runs of their own in the top of the second inning, off of OUAZ starting pitcher Cole Anderson.
 
Anderson (6-2) finished with his first complete game of the year, as he went all seven innings and allowed just six runs on 12 hits. He also struck out three and walked three.
 
Following a scoreless third inning, the OUAZ offense attacked for a total of six runs in the next three innings to put the game out of reach; while also holding the Firebirds to three runs across those same three innings.
 
The Spirit outhit Saint Katherine 14-12 in the 9-6 victory. Six players finished with at least two hits each in the game; led by catcher Ryan Mortensen's three hit game. He finished 3-for-4 at the plate with two RBI's.

OUAZ closes out their series with the University of Saint Katherine Firebirds on Friday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 12 Noon at 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.