Surprise, AZ – The Hope International University softball team (16-4, 4-2 GSAC) ran their winning streak to four as they swept the Ottawa University Arizona Spirit winning 2-0 and 8-6 on Friday afternoon in Surprise, AZ.


Game 1:
Allie Puente (9-1) picked up the win throwing a complete game shutout allowing three hits while walking one and striking out 12. Jaylyn Hernandez led the Royals offense going 1-for-3 with two RBIs

Both pitchers were on top of their game to start as they put up zeroes with the Royals recording the first hit in the top of the fourth. They were unable to convert though and then Allie ran into trouble in the bottom half as the Spirit loaded the bases with one out. She came right back to strike out the next two batters as the game remained scoreless.

The Royals finally broke through in the top of the seventh as Hernandez delivered a huge two out two run double through the right side with runners on first and second to put the Royals on top 2-0. Allie then shutdown the Spirit in the bottom half as she pitched a scoreless seventh as the Royals won 2-0.

Game 2:
Emily Puente got the start pitching 3 1/3 innings allowing five runs, three earned on six hits while striking out three. Allie Puente (10-1) picked up the win in relief pitching 4 1/3 innings allowing just one hit while striking out five. Makenna O'Toole and Emily Puente led the Royals offense with each driving in three runs.

The Royals jumped on top of the Spirit early as Emily Puente backed her own pitching effort with a two run home run to put the Royals up 2-0 in the top of the first. The Spirit would answer in the bottom half with a run to make it 2-1 but the Royals would strike right back in the top of the second. With two on and two out O'Toole blasted a three run shot to right to make it 5-1. Then Emily Puente followed with her second home run of the day to push the Royals lead to 6-1.

The Spirit didn't go down easily as they put up five runs in the bottom of the fourth to tie the game 6-6. Allie Puente then came in and got the third out to end the fourth before shutting down the Spirit the rest of the way. The Royals then took back the lead in the top of the eighth as Emma McCraw crushed a two run home run with two outs to put the Royals up 8-6. Allie then retired the Spirit in order in the bottom half as the Royals emerged victorious.

The Royals continue their Arizona road trip as they take on Arizona Christian with a doubleheader beginning on Saturday, March 18 at 12:00 PM in Glendale, Arizona.