Fullerton, CA – The Hope International University baseball team (5-1) ran their win streak to five games as they swept the Embry-Riddle (AZ) Eagles in a doubleheader on Friday afternoon at Duane Winters Field in Fullerton, CA

Game 1:
Connor Martin (1-0) got the start and picked up the victory pitching 5 innings while allowing just one run on two hits while walking two and striking out seven. Alex Moreno (3-for-3) and Ryan Lamastra (2-for-4) led the Royals offense with two RBIs each.

It was a pitcher's duel early on as the game was scoreless until the bottom of the fourth when the Royals put two runners on with nobody out. A sac bunt then moved them over before Ryan Lamstra cranked an RBI double into deep center field to put the Royals on top 2-0. The Eagles would strike back in the top of the fifth on a two out RBI hit to make it 2-1.

The Royals got right back to work in the bottom half of the inning though. With runners on the corners and one out Omar Veloz lifted a deep flyout to left to bring in a run and make it 3-1. Alex Moreno then followed with a massive two run shot to centerfield to increases the lead to 5-1. Alexander Shadid, Bailey Roberson and David Rudd Grow then closed out the game for the Royals combining to allow just two hits while striking out seven and allowing no walks. The Royals would then add another run in the eighth on a sac fly by J.J. Cruz as they took game one 6-1.
 
Game 2:
Hector Garcia got the start and pitched four innings allowing two runs, one earned on three hits while striking out eight and walking one. Steven Ordorica (2-0) picked up the win in relief allowing no hits while striking out two in one inning of work. Chase Hanson led the Royals offense going 2-for-3 with three RBIs.

It was the Eagles who struck first in this one as they got to Garcia early and took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first. The Royals fought back though as an RBI groundout by Derek Sims made it 2-1 in the bottom of the third.

The Eagles continued to hold the Royals at bay until the bottom of the fifth when the Royals struck for a big inning. The trouble started almost immediately as the new pitcher loaded the bases with nobody out. The Royals then scored the tying run on a bases loaded hit by pitch of Sims to make it 2-2. Aaron Orozco then delivered a pinch hit RBI single through the left side to put the Royals ahead 3-2. They weren't done though as two batters later Hanson ripped an RBI triple down the right field line to break the game open and put the Royals up 6-2. J.J. Cruz then followed with an RBI double to center to make it 8-2. The Royals would then add another on a wild pitch strikeout to increase their lead to 9-2.

Royals pitching with Drury and Matthew Sagmit combined to throw two shutout innings while allowing just one hit as they prevented any thought of an Eagles comeback. The Royals would then add another run in the bottom of the sixth on a Wilson Dunn RBI groundout as they won 10-2.


The Royals continue action at home as they wrap up their four-game series against Embry Riddle (AZ) with a doubleheader beginning on Saturday, February 11 at 11:00 AM at Duane Winters Field in Fullerton, CA.