LAKESIDE, Calif. - The Ottawa University Arizona baseball opened their four game weekend series on Friday afternoon at San Diego Christian College. The Spirit won game one by a final of 6-2 and then defeated the Hawks 8-5 in seven-innings in game two.
 
With the victories, the Spirit improve to 23-20 overall. With the pair of losses, the San Diego Christian College Hawks fall to 15-32-1.

"Today was a great day for our first year program," said OUAZ head baseball coach Tim Montez. "This is one of the most resilient group of young men I have ever been around. All the credit goes to our players and my coaching staff. We got a lot of solid performances from our pitchers and up-and-down the lineup. The effort was outstanding from start to finish and that is all you can ask for as a head coach."

Montez continued, "We have to finish off the weekend tomorrow with another doubleheader and try to extend the lead momentum wise as we wind down our season. Hopefully; God willing, we get a chance to keep on playing."
 
Game One:
 
The Spirit offense attacked early and often in game one of Friday's doubleheader at San Diego Christian College. OUAZ got on the board with a run in the first inning, to jump out to the early 1-0 lead.
 
The offense didn't stop there, as the Spirit struck for two more runs in the second inning, a single run in the third inning, and another single run in the fourth inning; to take a commanding 5-0 lead. OUAZ would not look back and held on for the 6-2 game one victory.
 
Spirit starter Cole Anderson was strong on the bump, lasting 7.1 innings while allowing just two runs on nine hits with five strikeouts and on walk.
 
Greg Saenz led the OUAZ offense in game one, finishing 3-for-4 at the plate with a run scored and one RBI.
 
Game Two:
 
In game two Friday at San Diego Christian College, OUAZ played catch-up until the very end. The Hawks put a run on the board in the bottom of the first inning, to take the early 1-0 lead. The Spirit then answered back with a run of their own in the top of the third inning to even the game at 1-1.
 
The Hawks offense attacked Spirit starter Zack Mcleod for four runs in four innings of work. McLeod finished with six strikeouts and one walk.
 
OUAZ struck for a single run in both the fourth and fifth innings, before San Diego Christian responded with a run of their own in the bottom of the fifth and extended their lead to 5-3.
 
The OUAZ offense came to life in the top of the 6^th inning, as they scored five runs to take the lead and the Spirit never looked back. In that inning, OUAZ scored five runs on four hits and stranded two runners.
 
Spirit reliever Riley Grivette (1-1) picked up the win in relief of starter Zack Mcleod. Grivette threw two shutout innings in relief and allowed zero hits with three strikeouts and one walk. Travis Hawkins picked up his second save of the season, coming in relief for Grivette in the bottom of the seventh inning. Hawkins recorded the final out of the game; a groundball to second base to secure the 8-5 victory.
 
The top of the Spirit order led the OUAZ offense in game two. Adrian Salazar drove in the winning run, while Josh Meyer added the insurance runs. Meyer led the Spirit at the plate, finishing 2-for-3 with three RBI's.
 
The Spirit close out the regular season tomorrow (Saturday) with a doubleheader at San Diego Christian College in Lakeside, California at the Barona Stars Field. First pitch is scheduled for 11am.
   
 
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.