SURPRISE, ARIZ. – The OUAZ softball team lined up for its third doubleheader in as many days, this time hosting a pair with Menlo. After celebrating its seniors before the first game, the Spirit picked up an important victory, and were snakebitten by another big inning in the final contest.

OUAZ 8, Menlo 0 (6 Innings)

It took five innings for either team to score, and OUAZ struck first with a run thanks to a Brianna Humphries single. Humphries would have the big hit in the sixth inning as well, driving in three with a home run to center field.

The Spirit would get a run-rule walkoff in the sixth inning, scoring seven times to end the contest early. On top of the Humphries home run, Brooklynne Esquibel had a two-RBI double, plus Serena Sutton and Elysa Moreno each had RBI singles.

Humphries had three hits, driving in four runs and scoring once herself. The Spirit had a 13 total hits, as Esquibel and Odalys Garcia-Peret also had two hits each.

Alyvia Hernandez went all six innings, allowing just five hits in the shutout win. Hernandez did not walk a hitter, and struck out five.

Menlo 14, OUAZ 8

Two big innings hindered the Spirit's effort to pick up a doubleheader sweep. The Oaks scored seven times in the first inning, and while OUAZ battled game long to get close, were unable to take a lead.

The Spirit's largest offensive inning came in the fifth, where they scored five times to cut its deficit to 11-7. All of OUAZ's runs in the frame came with the bases loaded, and Emily Henard drove in two runs with a two-RBI single to left field.

Lauren Russell reached base four times in the final game of the day, getting three hits and walking once. Esquibel had another two-hit game, walked twice, and drove in three runs.

The Spirit will continue to chase a GSAC playoff spot next week, wrapping up its regular season in Southern California. The road trip will begin with a doubleheader against #22 Vanguard on Friday afternoon.