LINCOLN, CALIF. – The OUAZ baseball team continued GSAC play in Northern California this weekend, as they met Jessup for a three-game series. The Spirit won the opening contest on Friday, but dropped the final two, and the series, to the Warriors.
Game 1: OUAZ 22, Jessup 5
The Spirit came out swinging on Friday, scoring two runs in each of the first two innings. After grabbing a 4-1 lead through two frames, OUAZ would sit on that lead until the sixth inning, where they would score five more runs for a 10-1 advantage.
The game was broken wide open in the top of the eighth, where OUAZ scored 10 runs. The Spirit would hit two grand slams in the inning, as Gabriel DeJesus and Logan Meyer would each drive a ball over the outfield fence with the bases loaded.
The grand slams made up for two of three hits in the eighth, where OUAZ would score all of its runs with two outs. The Spirit send 14 batters to the plate, taking advantage of four walks, three hit batters, and an error.
Nicholas Lustig was spectacular in his return to conference action, getting two hits, walking twice, and driving in six runs. Meyer matched the RBI total driving in six himself on three hits, falling just a triple shy of the cycle.
Joey Winters had two hits, walked three times, drove in a pair of runs, and scored every time he reached base. As a team, the Spirit walked nine different times, and totaled 16 hits.
Trey Trimble and Connor Wilson were the pitchers that got OUAZ through the first game of the day, teaming up to limit the Jessup offense. The two hurlers combined for nine strikeouts, and allowed just one walk.
Game 2: Jessup 9, OUAZ 3
The Spirit offense was firing to start the second game on Friday as well, scoring a pair of runs in the first inning for the early lead. Jessup would respond with three of their own in the bottom half of the frame, and would score runs in each of the first five innings.
Lustig continued to have a great day, finishing with two more RBI for eight between the two games. Christian Powell had two hits, scored twice, and drove in the game's first run with a single to bring home Matthew Carter.
Game 3: Jessup 3, OUAZ 0
The final game of the series was a pitchers dual, as there was one run scored through the first seven innings. After scoring one run in the first, Jessup would add two more in the bottom of the eighth.
Evan Massie had another spectacular start as he went 7.2 innings to give OUAZ a chance to take the series. Massie struck out 12 batters, and recorded one punchout in each of the first seven innings.
The Spirit return home for a pair of non-conference games on Monday and Tuesday against Cal Miramar. First pitch of the series on Monday from Royals Field 6 at the Surprise Spring Training Complex is set for 5 p.m.
