Spirit One Win Away From GSAC East Title

OUAZ SPIRIT (9-11, 2-0 GSAC) AT ARIZONA CHRISTIAN FIRESTORM (4-14, 0-2 GSAC)
Match Details	Friday, March 26 (DH) • Noon • Surprise, Ariz. • Willow Canyon High School
Video Stream	ouazspirit.com/digital
OTT App	NAIA Network (Android TV, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Roku)
Live Stats	ouazspirit.com/sidearmstats/softball
All times local to Arizona (Pacific Standard)

The OUAZ softball team has an opportunity to clinch the GSAC East, and its trip to the GSAC Championship Series, with just one win over Arizona Christian on Saturday afternoon. The Spirit lead the current series over the Firestorm 3-1.

The last doubleheader in Surprise for the first two games of this series went well for the Spirit, even though it looked bleak early. OUAZ trailed 8-2 after three innings, but scored four in the fourth and five in the sixth to complete the comeback and win 12-11.

ACU responded in Game 3, winning the first ever game on its home field, but the Spirit grabbed a 3-1 series lead by becoming the first road team to win at the Firestorm's new home. OUAZ has played just eight games at home, but are 8-6 away from Surprise in 2021.

Pitcher Alexandra McCutcheon had made 14 consecutive appearances giving up one earned run or less, and has not given up more than three earned runs since the season opener. The Spirit also have two pitchers who rank in the top five of the GSAC in strikeouts – McCutcheon (3^rd with 48 Ks) and Phoebe Popplewell (5^th with 37 Ks).

Andraya Rhinehart enters the weekend as the team's best hitter, posting a .388 average and sitting third in the GSAC with 16 RBI. She has used her speed as well, putting together six extra base hits and stealing seven bases on the year.

The Spirit have a lot of speed throughout the lineup, and it is used effectively. The team has legged out eight triples, and have eight players who are perfect on their stolen base attempts.

The program will honor four seniors who will not return next season, as Kelly Stumper, Ciera Munoz, Janessa Rivera and Avery Bohn will be thanked for their contributions to the programs. The players will have a special ceremony with their loved ones prior to the start of game one on Saturday afternoon.

First pitch from Willow Canyon High School is scheduled for Noon PST. Limited tickets to the final home games of the season are still available at ouazspirit.com/tickets.

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Players Mentioned

#7 Avery Bohn: INF; 5' 7"; Senior; R/R

#18 Alexandra McCutcheon: RHP; 5' 9"; Junior; R/R

#17 Ciera Munoz: OF; 5' 3"; Senior; R/R

#25 Phoebe Popplewell: RHP; 5' 2"; Sophomore; R/R

#1 Andraya Rhinehart: INF; 5' 5"; Sophomore; R/R

#44 Kelly Stumper: OF; 5' 7"; Senior; L/R

#00 Janessa Rivera: INF; 5' 8"; Senior; R/R

Players Mentioned

#7 Avery Bohn
: 5' 7"; Senior; R/R
: INF

#18 Alexandra McCutcheon
: 5' 9"; Junior; R/R
: RHP

#17 Ciera Munoz
: 5' 3"; Senior; R/R
: OF

#25 Phoebe Popplewell
: 5' 2"; Sophomore; R/R
: RHP

#1 Andraya Rhinehart
: 5' 5"; Sophomore; R/R
: INF

#44 Kelly Stumper
: 5' 7"; Senior; L/R
: OF

#00 Janessa Rivera
: 5' 8"; Senior; R/R
: INF