SURPRISE, ARIZ. – The 25th-ranked OUAZ baseball team started its final conference series of the season, hosting Menlo inside of Surprise Stadium. The Spirit dropped both games of a doubleheader, setting up an important GSAC contest on Saturday morning.
Menlo 24, #25 OUAZ 9
The Spirit got the scoring started, getting a run in the first inning. Despite taking the lead, Menlo answered back with eight runs in the top of the second.
OUAZ continued to battle, getting within two runs after scoring a pair in the fourth inning. The Spirit would not get that close again, and Menlo had two more big innings to pull away.
OUAZ had 15 hits in the offensive showcase, and five different players had multi-hit efforts. Dane Fraser had three hits, all of those being of the two-base variety.
Matthew Carter led the Spirit with three runs driven in, bringing home runners with both of his hits. Daniel Durazo also had two hits that drove in runs – a home run in the third and a double in the sixth.
Menlo 7, #25 OUAZ 3
A big second inning dragged the Spirit once again, and hurt even more in the seven-inning tilt. After another offense-filled four innings, neither team scored over the final three frames despite opportunities for both sides.
Trailing 6-0, the Spirit scored twice in the bottom of the second to answer back. OUAZ would add one more run in the third thanks to Nicholas Lustig's second RBI of the game.
The Spirit would finish with six hits, and also drew six walks. Nathan Tarver and Owen Prendergast had two hits each, while Joey Winters and Joel Esparza both walked twice.
Evan Massie had a good five innings of relief, not giving up an earned run and giving OUAZ a chance to come back. Massie allowed just four hits, and picked up three strikeouts.
The Spirit have an opportunity to salvage a game against Menlo at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning. Following the contest, the Seniors will be recognized, then one more contest will be played to wrap up the weekend.
