IRVINE, CALIF. – Needing a win to stay alive at the GSAC Tournament, the OUAZ baseball team responded in style on Tuesday night. The Spirit scored the game's first six runs in the first four innings, and held on to send crosstown rival Arizona Christian back to the Valley.

The Spirit had five baserunners in just the opening inning, scoring a pair of runs. Logan Meyer and Owen Prendergast each had an RBI single, and Prendergast's hit was nearly two-RBI, but Meyer was thrown out at home trying to score from second.

OUAZ would score two runs in each of the third and fourth innings. Nathan Tarver had an RBI in each inning, getting one via a single in the third, then drawing a bases-loaded walk in the fourth.

With the lead getting cut in half, Tarver would come through once again to add another run for the Spirit in the eighth. After Joey Winters led off and reached first via an error, Tarver would single through the left side to bring home Winters for a 7-3 lead.

While ACU would score one more in the bottom of the ninth, the Spirit would capture a 7-4 win to advance to the next day of the GSAC Tournament. Tarver had two hits and a walk, plus Meyer and Daniel Durazo had three hits each.

Connor Wilson turned in a great start on the mound, going six innings and striking out seven batters. Brandon Smith, Brayden Marcum and Creighton Silvain combined to finish the final three frames, posting a combined three strikeouts and allowing just one hit in that stretch.

The Spirit will now match up with top-seeded Hope International with a chance to advance and take on Jessup. First pitch on Wednesday morning against the Royals is set for 10 a.m.