SURPRISE, ARIZ. – The 25th-ranked OUAZ baseball team finished up its quick two-game weekday series with Benedictine Mesa on Thursday, with the Redhawks making a visit to the Far West Valley. The Spirit trailed from the start until the eighth inning, where they scored five runs to overtake the lead, and sweep the mid-week series.
Entering the eighth down 3-1 and putting together just four hits, the Spirit scored five times and had three hits in the frame. OUAZ also took advantage of three walks, all given to the first three batters of the frame.
With the bases loaded following the walks, Nicholas Lustig hit a sacrifice fly to cut the lead in half. Daniel Durazo would then tie the game with a single, plus would be a part of a delayed steal that allowed Tyler Freeman to come in and steal home, as well as the lead away from the Redhawks.
Logan Meyer would have the big hit of the inning, singling up the middle to bring in two runs and push the Sprit lead to 6-3. Meyer would finish with three hits, including a double to lead off the fifth where he would eventually score OUAZ's first run.
Sergio Alfaro had an outstanding night, finishing a pair of hits. The Spirit were active on the basepaths, totaling five stolen bases.
Spirit pitching was excellent as well, as Brayden Marcum, Trey Trimble, Zach Hangas, and Creighton Silvain combined for ten strikeouts on the night. Hangas earned his fifth win of the season after giving the Spirit a chance to take the lead with two scoreless innings, and Silvain closed the door for his fifth save of the season.
OUAZ will have the weekend off, and will get back into conference play next Friday inside of Surprise Stadium. First pitch against Arizona Christian on April 5 is set for 6 p.m.
