The Master’s University baseball team traveled to Glendale, Ariz. and was able to split the first of two doubleheaders against Arizona Christian University with a 10-7 win and a 19-4 loss at Greenway High School Friday evening, April 4.

The Mustangs are looking to continue the climb up the GSAC standings, as the team currently sit in fifth and is outside of the conference tournament

But the team had to contend with the red hot Firestorm, currently ranked No. 16 in the NAIA according to the most recent coaches poll.

Game 1

The Mustangs completed the comeback with eight runs in the middle innings as the team claimed a 10-7 win over the Firestorm.

James Coker started for the Mustangs, allowing 11 hits and seven runs while throwing four strikeouts in his 5.0-inning assignment. All seven of those runs were given up in the first two innings.

The Firestorm came out swinging to start the game, tallying two runs by the end of the first inning. Second baseman Cason Brownell scored in the top of the second, but the Firestorm got five more runs to take an early 7-1 lead.

But Coker kept the Mustangs in the game, only allowing three hits in his remaining three innings. Meanwhile, the Mustangs offense looked to begin the comeback.

It started in the fifth inning, when Ty Beck hit a two-run home run to right field. Moments later, Jacob Kowes tallied another run when he scored on a wild pitch.

Then in the sixth inning, Austin Young blasted a three-run home run to left field, bringing in Kobe Katayama and Jack Drew to give the Mustangs a 9-7 lead.

Carson Knapp came on in relief in the bottom of the sixth, holding the Firestorm to only three hits while throwing three strikeouts in 4.0 innings to secure the win.

Scotty Pieper completed the scoring in the top of the ninth after a wild pitch, giving the Mustangs another run and ending the game 10-7.

Game 2

The Mustangs allowed 15 runs in the sixth inning enroute to a 19-4 loss.

J.T. Frieson started for the Mustangs in game two, allowing four hits and four runs in his 4.0-inning assignment.

The first three innings were similar to one another, where the Mustangs were left blank and the Firestorm recorded a lone run to end the inning.

But the Mustangs got into a groove in the fourth inning. A Cason Brownell double to center field got Ty Beck home while a wild pitch later in the inning got Brownell home. The Firestorm tallied another run to end the fourth.

But in the fifth inning, Beck recorded his 16th home run of the season to get Young and himself home, bringing the game to a 4-4 tie.

But in the bottom of the sixth, everything fell apart.

The Firestorm came out of the sixth inning with 15 runs, with the Mustangs needing four pitchers to get into the seventh.

Matt Chapman came on in relief and allowed three hits and four runs in 1.0 innings, as he was given the loss.

For more information visit GoMustangs.com.