SURPRISE, Ariz. – The OUAZ baseball team completed its non-conference series against Arizona Christian by splitting a doubleheader on Friday night ay Valley Vista High School. The Spirit won the opener 7-4 before falling in the nightcap 3-2.
 
With the win on Monday, OUAZ earned the series victory and is now 3-3 on the season. Arizona Christian is 7-6.
 
GAME 1
Chuck Steele finished 3 for 5 with a double, home run, and four runs batted in to lead the Spirit in the opener. After an RBI double in the third and RBI single in the fifth, Steele hit a 2-run homer to left in the fifth that tied the game at 4-4.
 
Esteban Martinez added a run scoring single in the seventh to put the Spirit in front and then Connor Lowrie and Austin Shumaker would drive in a run apiece over the next two innings to provide the final margin.
 
Travis Turner recorded the win and Miguel Cirino the save. Cirino went the final three innings without allowing a hit and notching five strikeouts. Hayden Durkiewicz took a no decision after throwing 5.2 innings and allowing four runs (two earned) on five hits.
 
GAME 2
Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the third, the Spirit scored a pair of unearned runs on a sacrifice fly from Jared Crockett and a single from Sam Haney to take a 2-1 lead. The Firestorm quickly tied the game in the top of the fourth and went ahead for good on a solo home run from Justen Burkey in the sixth.
 
Haney finished the game with two of the Spirit's five total hits.
 
Cole Anderson went four innings and allowed two runs (one earned) on six hits with four strikeouts in a no decision. Zack McLeod went the next three innings allowing just one run in taking the loss. Taylor Campos allowed one hit in his two innings.
 
The action continues for the Spirit on Tuesday when they begin a six-game week against Okanagan at 6 p.m. on the Royals practice fields at Surprise Stadium. The field number will be announced on Monday.