GLENDALE, Ariz. - The Red Hawks dropped the twin bill against Arizona Christian today, 6-5 and 6-2. 

The Firestorm drew first blood in the bottom of the third inning as a one-out hit by pitch to the nine-hole hitter, Ashley Madonia, came around to score on a RBI double into left center by Dayna Herrera. 

Simpson knotted up the game in the top of the fourth inning as three straight Red Hawks worked their way on base to begin the inning as Nayzeth Gonzalez picked up the RBI single down the left field line. 

But a strong cut and relay at the plate cut down the go-ahead runner as the Firestorm escaped further damage. 

Starter Jacquelyn Lujan maneuvered out of danger with the help of a strong catch in the bottom of the fourth inning by left fielder Jessica Heck to deny the Firestorm any runs. 

The Firestorm regained the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning as they benefited from three free passes and a Red Hawk error to take the 2-1 lead on a sacrifice fly to deep center field. 

Simpson rallied for five straight singles to take the lead with two outs in the top of the sixth inning as Rebekah Millan came through with the RBI single, Nicolena Holen pushed across the go-ahead run with a line drive into center field, Ariel Schulzkump added an insurance run with a ground ball back up the middle, and back-to-back wild pitches allowed Holen to cross home plate to cap off the four-run inning. 

Two extra base hits and a Red Hawks error helped aid a two-run sixth inning for the Firestorm to pull within one, as a key diving stop by shortstop Lopez-Cortez kept the tying run from scoring. 

A leadoff double to begin the bottom of the seventh set the tone for the Firestorm as Brittany McKraken came through with the walk-off scorching double to pull off the 6-5 game one victory. 

Simpson starter Lujan picked up the no-decision as she tossed 5.2 innings of work while allowing four runs on five hits. 

Reliever Lily Rojas notched the loss as she preserved the one-run lead in the sixth but gave up the tying and game-winning runs in the seventh. 

Game 2: 

The Red Hawks jumped on the board in the top of the first inning on a leadoff triple by Holen to begin the game, followed by an RBI single by Emily Placencia. 

A bases-loaded walk allowed the Firestorm to tie the game before taking the lead on a two-run single by Avery Slater. 

The Firestorm added a run in the second inning on an RBI double while plating two more runs in the fourth inning on two sacrifice flies. 

However, Simpson reliever Jessica Ulshoeffer settled down and fired three straight scoreless innings after taking over for starter Nadia Stroh in the second inning. 

The Simpson offense showed life in the top of the seventh inning as they brought the tying run to the plate on a bases-loaded walk to Jordan Adami. 

However, Arizona Christian secured the 6-2 victory on a long flyout to end the game and secure the sweep on the day. 

Lopez-Cortez led the Simpson bats with a three-for-three game while Placencia followed close behind with a two-hit game. 

Unearned runs proved to be the story of the game as the Red Hawks surrendered just one earned run, while committing three costly errors. Stroh picked up the loss after surrendering four runs over 1.1 innings of work. Ulshoeffer allowed two runs over 4.2 innings of work as they combined for three strikeouts. 

Simpson continues play in the desert tomorrow as they take on Hope International in a doubleheader with first pitch slated for 11 am. 

 

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