TUCSON, ARIZ. – The OUAZ softball team looked to wrap up a successful appearance at the Tucson Invitational Games on Wednesday, entering the day 5-1 in its six games so far. The Spirit took a tight 3-1 win over Simpson to start the day, and defeated 12th-ranked Midland to sweep its final day in the Old Pueblo.
OUAZ 3, Simpson 1
The Spirit got out to a hot start, as Serena Shine led of the bottom of the first inning with a double. After getting moved over to third thanks to a sacrifice bunt, Shine would come around to score on Brianna Humphries's home run to center field.
Neither team would get much offensively until Simpson scored its only run in the top of the fourth inning. The Spirit would tack on an insurance run in the fifth, when Elysa Moreno scored on a successful first-and-third double steal play.
Alyvia Hernandez was excellent in five innings of work, allowing just three hits and a run that was unearned. Riley Shopp came in for the final two innings, earning her first save of the season.
Shine and Humphries combined for all four of the Spirit's hits, and they each scored a run. Humphries was 2-for-2, and also drew a walk, reaching base in every plate appearance.
OUAZ 5, #12 Midland 2
The second contest of the day looked to be another pitcher's duel, as the score sat at 2-0 in favor of Midland through five innings. The Warriors scored both of its runs in the second inning, piecing together a couple of hits that eventually came around the bases.
OUAZ finally got on the board in the fourth, as Shine led off the inning with a single, then scored on a Brianna Humphries double. The Spirit would get doubled up to end the inning, but managed to pull some momentum back.
The big inning came in the sixth, where the Spirit scored three runs to take a 4-2 lead. Odalys Garcia-Peret led off with a single, then the next two batters reached via an error.
The Spirit took advantage quickly, scoring on the second error of the frame to tie it up. Consecutive RBI at-bats from Brooklyn Esquibel and Humphries finally gave OUAZ its first lead of the day.
The seventh inning allowed the Spirit to add an insurance run, and it came in dramatic fashion. It looked as if Moreno singled to bring in Emily Henard, but Moreno was called for leaving the box early. Moreno stepped back in, and immediately singled again on the next pitch to permanently put up the fifth run.
Jazmine Ayala was great in the circle, going 4.2 innings and allowing just one earned run. Shopp came in to close out the game, this time earning the win, having only one batter reach base in the final 2.1 innings.
The Spirit will return to conference play on Saturday when they head across town for a doubleheader with Arizona Christian. First pitch in Glendale is set for 10 a.m.
