SURPRISE, Ariz. – The OUAZ softball team split a doubleheader with Carroll College on Wednesday night in non-conference action at Willow Canyon High School. The Spirit took the opener 10-5 before falling in the nightcap 2-1.
 
With the split, OUAZ is now 3-11 on the season while Carroll moves to 5-8.
 
GAME 1
The Spirit jumped on the Saints early with a 5-run first inning. The scoring started when Caitlyn Swisher hit a solo home run to right center for her first homer of the season. Vanessa Rodarte would drive in two runs with a bases load single later in the inning. That was followed by a 2-run double from Heliana Bueno.
 
OUAZ was on the verge of a run-rule victory leading 8-0 heading to the top of the fifth when Carroll began to chip away. The Saints scored twice in the fifth and added three in the sixth to chase OUAZ starter Alexandra McCutcheon (2-2). Bailey Coronado stopped the Carroll rally with two scoreless innings.
 
OUAZ added two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth when Bueno connected on a 2-run home run to left field for her first of the season.
 
McCutcheon earned the win after allowing five runs on nine hits with five strikeouts. Coronado struck out four in her two innings.
 
GAME 2
The second game of the night turned into a pitcher's duel that ended in a 2-1 loss for the Spirit. OUAZ managed just three hits and only got runners into scoring position in the fourth inning. They scored their lone run with an RBI single from Rodarte with two outs in the fourth.
 
Carroll took a 2-0 lead in the top of the fourth, scoring the second run on an error in left field by Kelly Stumper.
 
Sabrina Jimenez (0-6) threw a complete game in taking the loss. She allowed nine hits with five strikeouts. Jimenez stranded Carroll runners in scoring position in five different innings.
 
UP NEXT
The Spirit will get back into Golden State Athletic Conference play on Friday when they host a doubleheader against No. 9 Hope International. The action will begin at 1:30 p.m. at Willow Canyon High School.