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Hope International University

BSB GSAC 2025
15
Winner Hope International HIU 42-8
11
Arizona Christian (AZ) ACU 39-13-1
Winner
Hope International HIU
42-8
15
Final
11
Arizona Christian (AZ) ACU
39-13-1
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Hope International HIU 0 1 4 0 0 3 3 1 3 15 15 3
Arizona Christian (AZ) ACU 0 0 0 0 4 0 7 0 0 11 18 1

W: De Jong, Chandler (3-0) L: J. Vickers (2-1)

2
Arizona Christian (AZ) ACU 39-14-1
8
Winner Hope International HIU 43-8
Arizona Christian (AZ) ACU
39-14-1
2
Final
8
Hope International HIU
43-8
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Arizona Christian (AZ) ACU 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 2 5 2
Hope International HIU 0 0 4 0 1 0 0 3 X 8 13 1

W: Seeley, Trey (11-1) L: P. Robertson (4-1) S: Landry, Josh (1)

Game Recap: Baseball | | Robert Nilsen

No. 4 Royals Do It Again Sweep No. 15 Firestorm to Win GSAC Tournament Championship

Mesa, AZ - The No. 4 Hope International University baseball team (43-8) did it the hard way again as they won their ninth elimination game in a row dating back to last year's World Series taking down the Arizona Christian University Firestorm twice 15-11 and 8-2 to capture their third GSAC Tournament Championship on Wednesday evening at Hohokam Stadium in Mesa, AZ. The Royals only needed to win four this time and they were up to the task winning four game in three days.

Game 1:
Chaz McWilliams got the start and pitched 4 2/3 innings allowing four runs on six hits while walking one and striking out eight. Chandler De Jong (3-0) picked up his third win in relief pitching 1 2/3 innings allowing no runs on four hits while striking out two. Matthew Pinal led the Royals offense going 3-for-5 with 5 RBIs and a home run.

Looking to force a second game the Royals jumped on top in the top of the second as Spencer Davis came through with a clutch two out RBI single to give the Royals a 1-0 lead. McWilliams also turned in one of his best performances shutting out the Firestorm offense through the first four innings and retiring the six batters he faced. The Royals also added to their lead in the top of the third as Pinal launched his 10th home run of the season, a two run shot to increase the Royals lead to 3-0. Then with two on and two outs Josiah Chavez delivered a two run single to make it 5-0.

The Firestorm finally found an answer to McWilliams as they struck for four runs in the bottom of the fifth to pull within 5-4. The Royals responded in the top of the sixth as Pinal ripped a two out bases clearing double to right center to increase the Royals lead back to 8-4. The Royals weren't done as they added to their lead in the top of the seventh. Julian Francois and David Shackelford delivered back to back RBI singles with the bases loaded and two outs to give the Royals a big 11-4 advantage.

The Firestorm didn't give up as they made it 11-6 to start the bottom of the seventh. It looked like the Royals would get out of the jam with a potential double play ball but they were unable to get any outs and the Firestorm would take advantage of the situation as they tied the game 11-11. Chandler De Jong who had come in from the bullpen then got out of the jam with a flyout to end the inning. The Royals then took the lead back in the top of the eighth as Chavez delivered a sac fly to put the Royals back ahead 12-11. De Jong then worked out of a jam in the bottom of the eighth to keep the Royals in front. Colby Moran then gave the Royals insurance in the top of the ninth as he ripped a two out bases clearing single to increase the Royals lead to 15-11. Pinal then came in from the bullpen and worked around a single to get two strikeouts including one looking to end the game and seal the win.

Game 2: 
Trey Seeley (11-1) bounced back from his first loss of the season as he picked up his eleventh win of the season on one day's rest pitching 5 innings allowing one run while walking one and striking out three. Josh Landry also on one day's rest picked up his first save pitching 4 innings allowing one run on three hits while striking out five. Colby Moran led the Royals offense going 2-for-4 with 2 RBIs.

The game was a pitcher's duel early on as the Royals turned back to their ace Seeley on short rest and he was phenomenal pitching four perfect innings to keep the Firestorm off the bases. The Royals then took the lead in the bottom of the third as Josiah Chavez and Spencer Davis ripped back to back doubles to give the Royals a 1-0 lead. Julian Francois then delivered an infield RBI single to make it 2-0. David Shackelford then came through with an RBI groundout to make it 3-0 before Moran ripped a two out RBI single to give the Royals what felt like a commanding 4-0 lead. 

The Firestorm would finally get a run off Seeley in the top of the fifth to make it 4-1 but that's all he would allow as he induced a groundout to end the threat. The Royals then got the run back in the bottom of the fifth Moran ripped his second RBI single of the game to increase the Royals lead to 5-1. Landry the Royals second ace then came in from the bullpen to finish things off as he pitched a scoreless sixth inning. The Firestorm would eventually squeak across a run in the top of the seventh but that's all Landry would allow.

The Royals then broke open the game in the bottom of the eighth as Kyle Harvey delivered a pinch hit RBI single up the middle to increase the Royals lead to 6-2. Amari Bartee then came through with a sac fly followed by an RBI single from Franois to put the Royals up 8-2. Landry then made quick work of the Firestorm as he struck out the first two batters before getting a flyout to end the game and seal the Royals win.

With the win the Royals punch their ticket to the NAIA Opening Round which will take place May 12-15. Tune into the NAIA selection show on Wednesday, May 7 at 2:00 PM to learn where they will be headed.
 


 
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