SURPRISE, Ariz. – The OUAZ softball team split a doubleheader against Saint Katherine on Saturday at Willow Canyon High School. After dropping the opener 7-1, OUAZ came back in dramatic fashion to win the nightcap, 8-7.
 
The split leaves the Spirit at 2-7 on the season after having their past eight games cancelled by rain.
 
GAME 1
Saint Katherine took the opener of the day's doubleheader by building a 7-0 lead through six innings. The Spirit got on the board in the bottom of the sixth on an RBI single from Sydney Saxton Siaki. It would end up being the lone run of the game for OUAZ.
 
Sabrina Jimenez suffered the loss for the Spirit after allowing all seven runs on 11 hits in a complete game that included a pair of strikeouts.
 
GAME 2
OUAZ raced out to a 4-0 lead through four innings in the second game of the day. The Firebirds then rallied with seven straight run – including a 5-run fifth inning – to take a 7-4 lead to the bottom of the seventh.
 
After scoring the first run of the inning on a USK error, Marissa Mitchell drove in the second run of the frame on a bases load walk. After Amanda Almond hit into a field choice for the second out of the inning, Vanessa Rodarte tied the game with a single to left. Kelly Stumper then followed with a single down the left field line to drive in Mitchell for the Spirit's first-ever walkoff victory.
 
Caitlyn Swisher, Emily Stebbins, Stumper, and Saxton all had two hits in the game.
 
Bailey Coronado allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits with six strikeouts in her four innings of work. Alexandra McCutcheon went the next two innings and allowed four runs (two earned) on six hits. Serenida Marquez pitched a scoreless seventh and earned the win.
 
OUAZ will now get set for Golden State Athletic Conference play which begins next week with a doubleheader at Menlo on Friday.