FULLERTON – Hope International gained a split in its GSAC softball doubleheader against Arizona Christian on Friday, taking game one 10-2 in five innings before falling 3-0 in game two.

Kaitlyn Maaske got the complete game victory in game one following an eight-run Royal outburst in the fourth inning, which invoked the mercy rule after she pitched a clean fifth.

Amanda Esquivel slammed her second home run of the season and all nine Royals starters had at least one hit.

The Firestorm got a combined shutout from Glory Estabrook and Alyssa Grinstead in game two. The duo allowed just four hits and ACU scored once in the third and twice in the sixth for the victory.

Game 1 – Hope International 10, Arizona Christian 2 (5)
HIU struck for two runs in the first after three consecutive singles loaded the bases off ACU starter Dayna Herrera. Chey Navarro's RBI grounder scored Vivian Little for the first run. With Navarro on second and Lily Hernandez on third, Amanda Esquivel's grounder to second plated Hernandez.

ACU pulled those two runs back in the second on a two-RBI single by Rachel Martin.

Herrera retired eight straight Royals until the floodgates opened in the fourth. Esquivel drew a leadoff walk and Gabriela Holmes followed with a double, putting two runners aboard. Karlie Bilbrey's sacrifice fly to center scored Esquivel to give the Royals a 3-2 lead.

Arianna Aguirre notched an RBI single to plate Holmes for a 4-2 lead. With a pair of runners still aboard, Lily Hernandez chased Herrera from the game with a 2-RBI single.

Kailee Pearson came on in relief and Esquivel – the third hitter to face her – unloaded a three-run shot to extend the HIU lead to 10-2.

Maaske retired the final 10 Firestorm, setting down the side in the final three frames to pick up her seventh victory. She did not walk a batter while throwing just 57 pitches.

Game 2 – Arizona Christian 3, Hope International 0
Arizona Christian dented the scoreboard with a run in the third. HIU starter Karlie Bilbrey gave up the unearned run after a fielding error loaded the bases with two outs. 

Herrera singled to center to score Raelynn Villanueva. The Firestorm attempted to score Martin from second, but a great throw from Vivian Little nailed her at the plate.

The Royals had a runner in scoring position in the first and third, but could not cash in on ACU starter Glory Estabrook. The Royals then loaded the bases with one out in the fourth after three singles, as ACU opted to go to Grinstead in relief.

Grinstead got the next two Royals to strike out swinging to end the inning. Grinstead was masterful, retiring all 11 Royals she faced. She also did not walk a batter and struck out four in 3.2 innings of work, earning the win to improve to 6-3.

ACU added a pair of insurance runs in the sixth as Herrera doubled in Martin, and Christina Grubb had an RBI single as well.

Bilbrey pitched effectively for HIU, going the distance and allowing eight hits and three runs (two earned) with a pair of strikeouts.

The two teams meet again for another doubleheader on Saturday at noon.