SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The Benedictine University Mesa baseball team defeated the Lions of Vanguard University, 5-4, to advance in the Opening Round of the NAIA National Championship Tournament. The Redhawks improve their overall record to 43-12.
 
BenU gave up an early three run lead to the Lions but answered back in the bottom of the fourth on a two out rally. Jack Fitzgerald started the rally with a walk. Anthony Sortino pinch ran for J. Fotzgerald and advanced to second on a balk. Josh Hernandez capitalized on the moment and singled to right to score Sortino. Tyler Butterfield came up big with a ball to the wall scoring Hernadez and putting him in scoring position. Ryan Curran followed that with an RBI single to tie the game.
 
The Lions would get the lead again in the top of the eighth and the Redhawks would tie the game in the bottom. The game would end with a wild pitch from the Lions to bring Carlos Parra across the plate giving the Redhawks the 5-4 win.

Travis Reaves went 2-for-5. Tyler Butterfield went 1-for-3 with 2 RBI in the game. Jack Fitzgerald went 1-for-3 with one RBI and Josh Hernadez also went 1-for-3 with one run batted in. Ryan Curran went 1-for-3 and a single RBI as well. The Redhawks totaled 9 hits and five walks while keeping the Lions to eight hits and 3 walks. 

Mikito Barkman tossed 6.0 innings allowing three runs, six hits, and struck out seven batters. Connor Coerper threw three innings only allowing two hits and one run and no walks.
 
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The Redhawks will face the winner of British Columbia and Westmont at 4 p.m.
 
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