SURPRISE, ARIZ. – Saturday's OUAZ softball doubleheader had a little bit of everything. A disallowed home run due to an illegal ball, three runs on one hit in an inning, a grand slam – all of that leading to a pair of run-rule victories for the Spirit over Arizona Christian.
OUAZ 10, Arizona Christian 2 (6 Innings)
The Spirit looked to be up 4-1 in the first inning on just one hit, as Lauren Russell smacked a pitch over the left field fence for a home run. While it was taken off the board, the runner on standing on second came around to score, as Mia Casadei drove in Brooklynne Esquibel.
OUAZ would add three more in the third inning, pushing its lead to 6-2 in an important GSAC contest. Casadei drove in Esquibel once again to score the frame's first run, then Savannah Sutton hit a two-run home run to straight-away center field.
Sutton would power up once again in the fifth, this time a three-run blast to take a 9-2 advantage. After Russell and Casadei reached to start the inning, Sutton this time drove a ball over the left field fence for her second home run of the first game.
The Spirit would end the contest on a walk-off, this one of the run-rule variety. Sutton would drive in her sixth run of the game, this time only needing a single to bring in Esquibel and end the contest before the seventh inning.
Sutton finished with three hits and six RBI, her best effort of the season. Casadei was incredibly consistent at the plate, going 4-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored.
Alyvia Hernandez was solid in the circle, posting a complete game effort with four strikeouts. Hernandez shut out the Firestorm in the final five innings, and allowed just four hits in that scoreless stretch.
OUAZ 9, Arizona Christian 0 (5 Innings)
The Spirit picked up right where they left off, scoring three runs in the opening inning. Russell just missed her second opportunity for a first-inning home run, doubling home a pair of runs with a ball that slammed the right field fence. A passed ball allowed Russell to advance to third, then score on a single from Casadei.
Russell got the home run that continued to escape her all day, and it was a shot that sent the crowd into a frenzy. With the bases loaded and two outs, Russell hammered a no-doubter over the center field fence to give OUAZ an 8-0 lead.
One more home run would be added by OUAZ, as Brianna Humphries drilled one to right field for a 9-0 advantage. On the day, the Spirit hit a total of four home runs, and had a total of seven extra-base hits.
Russell finished 2-for-2 with two extra-base hits and six RBI. Casadei had another perfect performance at the plate, going 2-for-2 with an RBI.
Riley Shopp's performance cannot be ignored, as she went the full game allowing just two hits. Shopp struck out four batters, and allowed just three baserunners all game.
OUAZ will now have another important four games against eighth-ranked Jessup next week. The first two games, which will be Thursday at Verrado High School, are make-up contests from when the series in Rocklin, Calif. was rained out.
