Irvine, Calif. — OUAZ Baseball opened its road series with a hard-fought 8–7 victory over Westcliff on Friday night at OC Great Park, improving the Spirit to 9–5 on the season after holding off a late charge from the Warriors.

OUAZ jumped out to an early lead in the second inning. Kasey Regala brought home Evan Mendoza with a sacrifice fly, and the Spirit added two more runs on a Westcliff fielding error to take a 3–0 advantage. OUAZ continued to apply pressure in the third, as Chaz Clemons delivered an RBI single and Mason Whitehead followed with a run-scoring groundout to extend the lead to 5–0.

Westcliff answered with two runs in the third and another in the fourth to trim the margin to 5–3, but the Spirit created breathing room in the seventh when Mendoza grounded out to score Isaiah Nava and make it 6–3.

The game turned again in the eighth as the Warriors pushed across three runs to tie the contest at 6–6, setting up a dramatic finish. OUAZ responded immediately in the ninth. With runners aboard, Mendoza came through with the biggest swing of the night, ripping a two-run double to right field to score Nava and Matthew Carter and restore the Spirit's lead at 8–6.

Westcliff plated one run in the bottom of the ninth, but the OUAZ bullpen shut the door before the tying run could cross.

Mendoza led the Spirit offensively, finishing 2-for-5 with three RBIs including the decisive ninth-inning double. Camden Knutson reached base four times and collected two hits, while Nava scored twice and added two hits of his own. Clemons also contributed a hit, two runs scored, and an RBI.

On the mound, Micah Del Rio delivered a strong start, tossing seven innings while allowing three runs (two earned) and striking out five. Josiah Dominguez earned the win in relief, and Tyler Johnson recorded the final two outs to secure his first save of the season.

OUAZ and Westcliff will continue the series Saturday with a doubleheader at OC Great Park. First pitch for Game 1 is scheduled for 1 p.m. MST.