Surprise, Ariz.- OUAZ Softball the doubleheader against Mount Mercy (9-10), with a game one loss of 7-8 and a game two victory of 10-6. The give the Spirit a 21–7 overall record, with a 2-2 record in conference play.
In game one's 7-8 loss, the Spirit took a 4-2 lead in the bottom of the third inning, with RBIs from four different Spirit players. OUAZ would fall behind in the top of the fifth inning when Stephanie Cortazar gave up a go-ahead two-run home run to fall behind 4-5, before the Spirit would come back and tie it up in the bottom of the inning. The score would hold until the seventh inning when Cortazar gave up a go-ahead 3-run home run to make it 5-8. The Spirit would mount a two out rally as they cut the deficit to one run and had the bases loaded with a chance to win the game. Unfortunately, the rally ended with a strikeout to end the game 7-8. The Spirit's offense was driven by Savannah Sutton who was 3/3, plating two RBIs, while also scoring twice. Isabella Rodriguez was also a major contributor as she went 2/3 with 2 runs scored and an RBI. In the circle, Cortazar had a tough day as she threw seven innings, allowing eight runs on 11 hits, with three of those hits leaving the yard.
The Spirit would take game two behind a strong offensive performance with a 10-6 victory to earn the doubleheader split. The Spirit's offense had contributors up and down the lineup as seven OUAZ hitters had an RBI in the game, including three with two RBI games, while eight Spirit players crossed the plat at least once. Elysa Moreno and Alexis Jimenez lead the charge offensively as Moreno went 2/5 with two runs scored and two RBIs, while Jimenez went 2/3 with a run scored and two RBIs. Dayzee Wong also had a big day as she hit a pinch-hit solo home run for her first of the season. In the circle, Ayersman had a solid day where she threw seven of six-run ball (five earned), which was enough for her to get her ninth win of the season.
The Spirit will continue conference play this weekend as they take on the Hope International Royals. The series will begin on Friday, March 21st with a doubleheader at Willow Canyon HS. Game 1 will be at 4PM, with game 2 scheduled to start at 6PM (MST). The series will conclude on Saturday, March 22nd with another Doubleheader against HIU. Game 1 will start at NOON and be followed with a 2PM scheduled start time for Game 2.
