Surprise, Ariz. — OUAZ Baseball split Thursday's doubleheader against Oregon Tech at the Surprise Spring Training Complex, dropping a tightly contested 5–4 decision in nine innings in Game 1 before responding with a 6–2 victory in the seven-inning nightcap.
Game 1 – Oregon Tech 5, OUAZ 4 (9 innings)
OUAZ came up just short in the opener after a back-and-forth battle that remained deadlocked late into the game. The Spirit struck first in the opening inning, as Isaiah Nava scored on a sacrifice fly from Rolen Driscoll to give OUAZ an early advantage.
Oregon Tech responded in the second with a four-run frame to swing momentum in favor of the Owls, but the Spirit answered right back in the third. Camden Knutson crossed the plate after Rolando Ramos Jr. worked a bases-loaded walk, and Mason Whitehead followed with a clutch, game-tying two-RBI single that scored Driscoll and Evan Mendoza.
From there, both teams settled in defensively as neither side was able to push a run across for several innings. The stalemate was finally broken in the top of the ninth when Oregon Tech plated the go-ahead run. OUAZ was unable to answer in the bottom half, as the Owls held on to secure the 5–4 win.
Game 2 – OUAZ 6, Oregon Tech 2 (7 innings)
The Spirit responded in strong fashion in the nightcap, using timely hitting and dominant relief pitching to earn a 6–2 victory.
Oregon Tech opened the scoring with a solo home run in the first, but OUAZ answered immediately as Nava came home on another sacrifice fly from Driscoll to even the game at 1–1. The Spirit then took control in the second inning, pushing across three runs. Devin Duque delivered an RBI single down the right-field line, Trevor Lesperance added a run on a groundout, and Matthew Carter reached on an error to bring home another unearned run, giving OUAZ a 4–1 lead.
The Owls trimmed the deficit with a run in the third, but OUAZ continued to apply pressure. Camden Knutson drew a bases-loaded walk in the fourth to score Duque, and Duque capped his night in the fifth with an RBI double to extend the lead to 6–2.
Isaiah Nava finished with two runs scored, while Duque went 2-for-3 with a run and two RBIs. Knutson also drove in a run as the Spirit produced offense throughout the lineup.
On the mound, Jackson Brenna worked 2 2/3 innings to start the game, allowing two runs (one earned) with three strikeouts. Kasey Regala was outstanding in relief, tossing 3 1/3 scoreless innings and striking out four to earn the win. Brandon Enders closed the game with a scoreless seventh inning to secure the victory.
OUAZ will look to claim the series on Friday when the Spirit return to Surprise Stadium for the finale against Oregon Tech, with first pitch scheduled for 12:05 p.m.
