The OUAZ softball team bounced back and swept a doubleheader from Bushnell University of Oregon by scores of 5-4 and 2-0 on Friday afternoon at Willow Canyon High School in Surprise.
 
Spirit infielder Brooklynne Esquibel led the offensive attack with a three for six day, including a triple and the first home run, a grand slam, of the season for OUAZ.  Also going three for six on the day was outfielder Mia Casadei, with a double and a solo home run.
 
In the circle, pitcher Alyvia Hernandez (1-0) got the first game's save and won a complete game victory in the nightcap.  In her 7.3 innings pitched on the day, Hernandez allowed three hits and a walk and struck out eight. Game one starter Riley Shopp (1-0) went 5.3 innings, allowing five hits and four runs while striking out four.
 
"I was impressed with our response after a tough first day," head coach Ernesto Ortiz said after the games.  "We had quality starts in the circle by both Riley and Alyvia, which gave our team a chance to win.  We played solid defense and had timely hitting.  It was good to see us come away with a couple of victories."
 
In the opener, the Spirit got the offense rolling in the second inning when infielders Emily Henard and Savannah Sutton led off with consecutive singles. Outfielder Odalys Garcia-Peret walked to load the bases, and Esquibel launched a 3-1 fastball to the deepest part of the park in center field for a no-doubt grand slam.
 
Bushnell (0-3) came right back in the top of the third and put three runs on the board to close to within one.
 
After Bushnell scored three in its portion of the third inning,  Casadei opened the bottom of the third with a moonshot to right that was gone the minute it hit her bat to give the Spirit a two-run cushion at 5-3. Bushnell closed out the scoring in the top of the fourth with a single run, making the final score 5-4.
 
In game two, all of the scoring occurred in the second inning as Henard led things off again with a walk and promptly stole second base.  Sutton singled to left field and advanced to second on the throw to home.  Henard scored a batter later when catcher Karlene Chavarria hit a sacrifice fly to left, moving Sutton to third at the same time.  Garcia-Peret singled to left plating Sutton, giving OUAZ a 2-0 lead.
 
The Spirit are back on the diamond on Saturday when they host Carroll College (Montana).  First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. at Willow Canyon High School's softball field.