SURPRISE, Ariz. - The Ottawa University Arizona baseball team defeated the Benedictine University at Mesa Redhawks; who are currently receiving votes in the latest NAIA Top 25 Poll, by a final of 7-2 at Surprise Stadium.
 
With the victory, the Spirit improve to 20-19 overall. With the loss, the BenU Mesa Redhawks fall to 32-16 overall.

"Our guys did a nice job answering back from a tough series with Saint Katherine last Friday," said OUAZ head baseball coach Tim Montez. "Colton Follett showed great senior leadership in giving us an outstanding start and our bullpen did a nice job of finishing it out. We need to clean up some baserunning mistake, but overall this was a nice team win."

Montez continued, "We need to enjoy it for the next 12 hours, and get back ready to play another important game tomorrow against a very well coached Arizona Christian club."

Tuesday's victory signaled a first for the Spirit, as they were 0-4 this season against their crosstown foes from Mesa. Tuesday marked the first win in program history for OUAZ baseball over the Redhawks. It was a pitcher's duel for the first three innings, before the Spirit bats came to life.

OUAZ struck for three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Greg Saenz began the inning with a leadoff single, and would later come around to score on a sacrifice fly by Hayden Durkiewicz. Esteban Martinez and Alec Roach both scored on a dropped fly ball off the bat of Jared Crockett. BenU Mesa added a run of their own in the top of the fifth inning, before OUAZ broke the game open for good.

The Spirit offense struck for four combined runs between the sixth through eighth innings, to complete the 7-2 victory over the Redhawks.

OUAZ starting pitcher Colton Follett went six innings, while allowing just one run on six hits with four strikeouts.

Offensively the Spirit received two hits a piece from Chandler Reynard, Adrian Salazar, Josh Meyer, and Esteban Martinez.

The Spirit return to the diamond tomorrow (Wednesday), to host their other crosstown rival; Arizona Christian University. First pitch is scheduled for 6pm from 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.