GLENDALE, Ariz. — Ottawa University baseball used timely hitting and strong pitching depth to secure a 4–2 victory over Arizona Christian on Wednesday night at ACU Baseball Field, opening the series with a road win.
The Braves trailed early but answered with a two-run fifth inning before breaking a 2–2 tie with two clutch runs in the eighth, then shutting the door in the ninth to improve to 1–0 on the season.
First Inning
Arizona Christian struck first without recording a hit. After two walks and a stolen base, a pair of passed balls allowed Noah Manasan to score, giving the Firestorm a 1–0 lead.
Ottawa starter
Grant Faris settled in after the opening frame, striking out eight over four innings while allowing no hits.
Middle Innings
Both teams were held in check through the next several innings as pitching dominated.
Ottawa generated early chances, including a third-inning single by
Kaiden Hoapili, but Arizona Christian starter Frank Wierman worked out of trouble with nine strikeouts through six innings.
The Braves finally broke through in the fifth inning.
After
Declan Brown reached and advanced into scoring position,
Jeremy Freeman, Jr. ripped a double to right field to tie the game at 1–1. Freeman later came home on a passed ball, giving Ottawa its first lead at 2–1.
Arizona Christian responded in the sixth, as Joey Genduso launched a solo home run to left-center, evening the score at 2–2.
Eighth-Inning Decisive Rally
Ottawa delivered the game's defining moment in the top of the eighth.
After
Julius Ryan was hit by a pitch and stole second and third,
Jesus Rodriguez lifted a sacrifice fly to right field to bring home the go-ahead run.
Moments later, pinch hitter
Dane Lujan came through with a clutch single to left, scoring
Jose Lopez and extending the lead to 4–2.
Closing It Out
The Braves bullpen slammed the door late.
- Ben Hewitt earned the win with a scoreless eighth inning, working around two walks and striking out two.
- Tyler Talbert secured the save, retiring the Firestorm in order in the ninth after allowing a leadoff single.
Ottawa pitchers combined for 16 strikeouts, surrendering just two hits across nine innings.
Game Notes & Stats
- Hits: Ottawa 5, ACU 2
- Errors: Ottawa 0, ACU 2
Ottawa Highlights
Pitching
- Grant Faris: 4.0 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 8 K
- Luis Diaz: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 3 K
- Ben Hewitt (W, 1–0): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R
- Tyler Talbert (SV, 1): 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R
Who is Next
Ottawa (1-0) will now play no. 10 University of British Columbia in Glendale, Ariz. on Thursday, Jan. 29. First pitch is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. (cst).
