Surprise, Ariz. — OUAZ Baseball fell 6–3 to Oregon Tech on Friday afternoon at Surprise Stadium in the rubber match of the three-game series, dropping the series finale and moving the Spirit to 8–5 on the season.

Oregon Tech opened the scoring in the second inning with an RBI single before adding another unearned run in the third to take a 2–0 lead. OUAZ responded in the bottom of the third when Camden Knutson singled to right-center, scoring Diego Duque to cut the deficit to one.

The Owls regained momentum over the middle innings, plating a run in the fifth and then breaking the game open in the sixth. Oregon Tech pushed across three runs in the frame, capitalizing on a pair of errors and timely hitting to extend the lead to 6–1.

The Spirit mounted a late push in the eighth inning. Evan Mendoza continued his strong day at the plate with an RBI single to right field, and Rylan Prevost followed with an RBI single to shortstop to bring OUAZ within three at 6–3. However, the rally stalled there as Oregon Tech closed out the final inning to secure the win.

Mendoza led the Spirit offense, going 3-for-4 with an RBI, while Rolen Driscoll added a 2-for-4 performance. On the mound, Diego Quinonez worked 4 1/3 innings, allowing three runs (one earned) while striking out seven. OUAZ used five relievers to finish the game, who combined to allow three runs (one earned).

The Spirit will now head on the road beginning February 13 for a three-game series against Westcliff in Irvine, Calif. Game 1 is scheduled for a 7 p.m. MST first pitch.