Surprise, Ariz.-- OUAZ Baseball closed out its non-conference slate in dominant fashion on Tuesday night, run-ruling Justice University 17-4 in seven innings at home to improve to 29-13 on the season.
The Spirit wasted no time taking control, exploding for eight runs in the opening inning. Camden Knutson got things started with a two-RBI triple, followed by RBI hits from Evan Mendoza and Chaz Clemons. Trevor Lesperance added a two-RBI single, and Mason Whitehead capped the inning with a two-run knock to give OUAZ an early 8-0 advantage.
OUAZ continued to build on its lead in the second, adding two more runs behind another Lesperance RBI single and an Isaiah Nava RBI to push the score to 10-1. The Spirit added a run in the fourth before breaking things wide open again in the fifth with a six-run frame. Knutson and Mendoza each drove in runs, while the offense capitalized on wild pitches, walks, and timely hitting, including an RBI single from Alex Hurr to extend the lead to 17-1.
At the plate, OUAZ totaled 13 hits, led by Knutson's three RBIs and Lesperance's four RBIs, while multiple players contributed multi-hit performances in a complete offensive showing. The game also featured a historic moment, as Joel Esparza was hit by pitch four times, setting a program record for most hit by pitches in a single game.
On the mound, Diego Quinonez earned the win, with a number of Spirit arms combining to limit Justice to four runs on eight hits across the seven innings.
OUAZ will now shift its focus back to conference play as they hit the road for their final regular season road trip, taking on Embry-Riddle in a critical GSAC series. First pitch for Friday's doubleheader is set for noon (MST).
