Surprise, Ariz.-- OUAZ Baseball delivered late-game drama Thursday night, walking it off in the bottom of the ninth to defeat Nelson University Arizona 6-5 at the Surprise Spring Training Complex. With the win, the Spirit improve to 12-5 on the season and extend their winning streak to four games.
Nelson grabbed early momentum, scoring in the second, third, and fifth innings to build a 3-0 advantage before the Spirit responded with a huge breakthrough in the bottom of the fifth. Devin Duque started the rally with an RBI single to bring home Evan Mendoza, and Matthew Carter followed after being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to force in another run. Camden Knutson then delivered the biggest swing of the inning, lining a two-run single up the middle to put OUAZ in front. Moments later, Carter stole home during a rundown play, capping a five-run frame that gave the Spirit a 5-3 lead.
The Warriors refused to go away, however, drawing two bases-loaded walks in the top of the ninth to even the game at 5-5 and set the stage for a dramatic finish.
In the bottom half, Trevor Lesperance reached and eventually came around to score the winning run when Evan Mendoza dropped down a sacrifice bunt that resulted in a throwing error by the Nelson third baseman, allowing Lesperance to race home with the walk-off run and seal the 6-5 victory.
Knutson led the Spirit offensively with two hits and two RBIs, while Rolen Driscoll added a pair of hits. On the mound, Micah Del Rio gave OUAZ 4.2 solid innings in the start, and Kasey Regala earned the win after recording the final two outs.
OUAZ will continue the series tomorrow on the road against Nelson University Arizona, with first pitch scheduled for 7 p.m. MST at Cortez High School.
