Spirit Split Doubleheader, But Take Series Against #19 Taylor

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Surprise, Ariz.- OUAZ Baseball split the doubleheader against #19 Taylor, as the Spirit win their second straight series, giving themselves a 6-1 record to start the season.

In the first game of today's doubleheader against Taylor University, OUAZ suffered their first loss of the season in a tough manner. Surrendering six unanswered runs in the ninth inning and losing the game by a score of 6-3. The story-lines in the first game encompassed both the good and the bad, when it came to their pitching. Hayden Schooler toed the rubber for OUAZ and tossed an absolute gem which included ten strikeouts, only two walks, four hits, and one earned run over his eight innings of work. This adds yet another stellar performance to an OUAZ pitching staff's resume that has been the gold standard so far in 2025. The bullpen was unable to finish the job for Schooler surrendering 6 runs in the ninth to #19 Taylor University's well respected offense in the losing effort. A so far rare blemish to an otherwise superb season from the OUAZ pitching staff. Taylor showed out on the rubber as well, only allowing three earned runs the entire game. Starter B. Fine tossed five and a third innings only allowing one earned run and striking out seven. The bullpen for Taylor worked through three and two thirds innings only surrendering 2 earned runs and keeping the game tight for their offense.

The Spirit's offense was still able to put up seven hits and one walk as a team. Designated hitter Nano Perez and shortstop Dante Leach both had extra-base hits. First baseman Joey Winters smacked his second home run of the season in the eighth which currently leads the team. OUAZ defense was clean, turning one double play and not making a single error the entire game.

The Spirit would end up taking the series finale by a score of 16-3. Starting pitcher Micah Del Rio was on the mound in this one and tossed yet another quality start for OUAZ pitching going six innings with only three runs allowed. On offense, Luke Hyzdu launched his first homerun of the season for OUAZ hitting a mammoth three run shot. Joey Winters and Dante Leach both recorded multi-hit games

The Spirit will continue their season against Baker University on February 6th, Royals field 6, 6PM (MST).

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#16 Nano Perez: C; 5' 9"; Senior; L/R

#26 Joey Winters: INF; 6' 7"; Graduate Student; L/R

#36 Micah Del Rio: RHP; 6' 0"; Junior; R/R

#49 Luke Hyzdu: INF; 6' 0"; Junior; R/R

#22 Dante Leach: INF; 5' 10"; Junior; R/R

#43 Hayden Schooler: P; 6' 5"; Junior; R/R

Players Mentioned

#16 Nano Perez
: 5' 9"; Senior; L/R
: C

#26 Joey Winters
: 6' 7"; Graduate Student; L/R
: INF

#36 Micah Del Rio
: 6' 0"; Junior; R/R
: RHP

#49 Luke Hyzdu
: 6' 0"; Junior; R/R
: INF

#22 Dante Leach
: 5' 10"; Junior; R/R
: INF

#43 Hayden Schooler
: 6' 5"; Junior; R/R
: P