GLENDALE, A.Z. -- The University of the Southwest baseball team showed determination on Friday night, rallying multiple times before ultimately falling 18–8 to Arizona Christian at ACU Baseball Field. Southwest (3–2) fought its way back from an early deficit, tying the game in the fifth inning and putting together another scoring push in the sixth, but a nine‑run frame by the Firestorm proved to be the turning point.

Arizona Christian opened the game with four runs in the first, but the Mustangs responded in the second when Colby Martinez lined an RBI single to left, bringing home the team's first run of the night. Southwest's pitching quieted ACU in the next two innings, keeping the game within reach and setting the stage for a major offensive breakthrough.

The Mustangs erupted in the top of the fifth, scoring four runs to erase a 5–1 deficit. Alex Montiel and Dong Joon Shin were hit by pitches to start the inning, and Alesandro Morrison dropped down a bunt single to load the bases. Jadon Trujillo then delivered a pivotal hit down the right‑field line that scored two runs, aided by a throwing error. Santiago Garcia followed with an RBI single to left, and Martinez tied the game with a run‑scoring groundout, bringing the score to 5–5.

Arizona Christian answered with a nine‑run bottom half, capitalizing on seven hits, several stolen bases, and Mustang miscues to surge ahead 14–5. Still, Southwest refused to go away quietly. In the sixth, Derrick Martinez reached on a strikeout and wild pitch, and Bryson Martinez reached on an error, allowing Alesandro Morrison to drive home two runs on a throwing error by third base. Carlos Jaquez was later hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to bring in another run, trimming the deficit to 14–8. 

Several Mustangs had standout offensive performances. Trujillo finished 2-for-4 with two RBI, including a late double in the eighth. Garcia went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a walk, while Morrison reached three times and scored twice. Colby Martinez recorded two RBI, and Jaquez reached base four times on a single, walk, and two hit-by-pitches. 

Despite opportunities late, including Trujillo's eighth‑inning double, Southwest was held scoreless over the final three innings as ACU's bullpen closed out the game. The Mustangs finished with nine hits, while ACU collected 19 and overcame five defensive errors. The final score was Arizona Christian 18, Southwest 8.