SURPRISE, ARIZ. – The 25th-ranked OUAZ baseball team found its bats on Saturday, collecting 17 hits in a doubleheader against Arizona Christian. After dropping the first contest, Joey Winters walked off the last game of the day in dramatic fashion during extra innings.
Arizona Christian 16, OUAZ 6
The Spirit jumped out to a lead early, scoring a run in the first inning, then adding five more in the second. Daniel Durazo drove in a pair during those first two at-bats for OUAZ, then executing a great delayed steal attempt that allowed Tyler Freeman to touch home.
OUAZ would finish with nine hits, and three different players finished with two. Durazo, Nano Perez, and Matthew Carter each had a pair, and Perez had a pair of RBI with a single in the second inning.
OUAZ 5, Arizona Christian 4 (8 Innings)
It was the Spirit this time coming from behind, wiping a 3-0 deficit with a big third inning. After a single and a walk, Winters drove in his team's first run of the game with a single to right.
Durazo would then test the right field of Surprise Stadium, this time roping a double get within a run. Logan Meyer decided to break the hit parade to right field, dumping a single into left to tie the contest.
Winters would be the one to break the tie in the fifth, slamming a solo home run for a OUAZ 4-3 lead. While the Spirit gave up a run in the seventh, it gave the first baseman another chance to show off.
On a 1-1 count, Winters drilled the walk-off home run to dead center field, clearing the high wall into the lawn area. It was the fifth-round tripper of the year for Winters, and he now has a team-leading 39 RBI.
Zach Hangas had a decent outing, going 5.2 innings and striking out three. Creighton Silvain came in for the final 2.1 innings, also striking out three and earning the win.
The Spirit will have just a couple of days off, then hit the field again on Tuesday against Embry-Riddle. First pitch from Surprise Stadium is set for 6 p.m.
