SURPRISE, Ariz. - The Ottawa University Arizona baseball team; whom are currently receiving votes in the latest NCCAA Baseball Top 10 Poll, defeated the Arizona Christian University Firestorm on Thursday evening by a final of 6-3 inside of Surprise Stadium.
 
With the victory, the (RV) Spirit extend their winning streak to six games and improve to 18-16 overall. OUAZ has now won the first three games against ACU and has sealed the season series victory. OUAZ and Arizona Christian will meet up two more times later this month back here in Surprise. With the loss, the Arizona Christian University Firestorm fall to 14-23 overall.



The Firestorm struck first on Thursday evening, getting back-to-back doubles to plate the games' first run. OUAZ then responded with a five run third-inning. The Spirit tallied five runs on five hits and only left one runner on base. Catcher Ryan Mortensen got things started with a double and was lifted for a courtesy runner; Jacob Wojnarowski. He would score two batters later on a bunt single by Chandler Reynard.

The Spirit tallied their next few runs on a sac-fly, a stolen base, and a pair of singles.

Arizona Christian tried to answer back and brought the game within two at 5-3; after scoring a pair of runs in the top of the fourth inning.

The Spirit put the game away for good with a Greg Saenz RBI single in the fifth inning.

OUAZ starting pitcher Hayden Durkiewicz (6-0) went three innings and picked up his team leading sixth win, while allowing just a single run on two hits and two strikeouts. Tyler Collins shut the door on the Firestorm and picked up his team leading fourth save, while allowing just one hit with two strikeouts in his one inning of work.

Offensively the Spirit were led Greg Saenz, who finished 2-for-2 at the plate with a single, a double, and two walks. He finished with one RBI and one run scored. Jared Crockett was the only other member of the Spirit to finish with multiple hits, finishing 2-for-3 with a pair of singles and a run scored.

The (RV) Spirit return to action on Tuesday, when they host the Benedictine University at Mesa Redhawks at Surprise Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 5pm.
   
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.