Fullerton, Calif. — OUAZ split a doubleheader with the Hope International Royals, holding off a late rally to take game one before falling in the second contest.

Game 1 — OUAZ 4, HIU 3

Game one was a tightly contested matchup that saw the Spirit come up with timely plays to secure the win. The Royals opened the scoring in the second inning with a run, but OUAZ answered in the third. Elizabeth Luna swiped second base and the aggressive baserunning continued as Nayeli Inzunza stole home to even the game. The Spirit took the lead in the sixth inning when Ava Seguin launched a solo home run. OUAZ added an important insurance run in the seventh when Savannah Sutton struck out swinging but reached first on a throwing error, allowing Nayeli Inzunza to cross the plate. Hope International threatened late, scoring two runs in the final inning in an attempt to force extras, but the Spirit held on to secure the victory.

Game 2 — OUAZ 1, HIU 4

Game two played out differently as the Royals were able to control the momentum. OUAZ struck first in the opening inning when Brianna Humphries delivered an RBI single that brought home Elysa Moreno. That would be the only run of the game for the Spirit, however. Hope International responded with two runs in the third inning and added two more in the fourth, building a lead that OUAZ could not overcome.

Up Next

The Spirit will play some nonconference games in the Tucson Invitational on Tuesday, March 10th. They will face Dickinson State at 12:00 PM (MST) and University of Providence (Mont.) at 2:30 PM (MST).