Surprise, Ariz. — OUAZ Baseball dropped both games of Saturday's seven-inning doubleheader against No. 18 Johnson (Tenn.) at Rangers Field 3 in the Surprise Spring Training Complex, falling 7–3 in 10 innings in Game 1 before a 5–3 loss in Game 2. The results move the Spirit to 4–3 on the season as they continue a demanding early schedule against nationally ranked competition.
Game 1 – Johnson 7, OUAZ 3 (10 innings)
OUAZ struck first in the opening inning of Game 1, capitalizing early on Johnson pitching. Rolen Driscoll delivered a two-run single to center field, scoring Camden Knutson and Isaiah Nava to give the Spirit a 2–0 advantage.
Johnson answered with a run in the third on an RBI double before tying the game in the sixth on a wild pitch, evening the score at 2–2 and sending the contest into extra innings in the scheduled seven-inning affair.
The Royals broke the game open in the 10th, pushing across five runs on a hit batter, an RBI single, and a three-run double down the left-field line to take a commanding 7–2 lead. OUAZ scratched across a run in the bottom of the frame when Trevor Lesperance singled up the middle to score Diego Duque, but the rally ended there.
Driscoll paced the Spirit offense, finishing 1-for-4 with two RBIs. Nava went 2-for-4 with a run scored, while Lesperance added a 2-for-4 performance with an RBI. On the mound, Winston Roberts delivered a strong start, working 5 1/3 innings while allowing two runs (one earned). Diego Quinonez held Johnson scoreless through his first 3 2/3 innings of relief before surrendering five runs in the 10th. Tyler Johnson closed the inning in relief.
Game 2 – Johnson 5, OUAZ 3
OUAZ looked to bounce back in the second game of the doubleheader against the No. 18 Johnson Royals, but a late rally fell just short in a hard-fought seven-inning contest.
The Spirit struck first in the second inning to grab an early lead. Evan Mendoza opened the frame with a single and later came around to score on a sacrifice fly from Ben Ullyott. The offense stayed aggressive as Rolan Driscoll reached with a single to left field and was driven in by Trevor Lesperance, who lined a base hit to the left side of the infield to give OUAZ a 2–0 advantage.
Johnson responded over the middle innings to take the lead, forcing the Spirit to play from behind once again. OUAZ continued to battle and made things interesting in the bottom of the seventh. Matthew Carter delivered a clutch single to right field, scoring pinch runner Jake Blair to cut into the deficit. Despite the late push, the Spirit were unable to complete the comeback as Johnson secured the sweep.
OUAZ will look to regroup and bounce back as the Spirit return to Rangers Field 3 on Saturday, with first pitch scheduled for 11 a.m. MST.
