The Benedictine Mesa softball team came up just short in both games of their Wednesday doubleheader against Westcliff, falling 3-2 in Game 1 and 6-5 in Game 2.
Game 1:
The Redhawks struck first in the third inning when Leiana Madrazo singled to center field, driving in Brandee Ayala to give Benedictine Mesa a 1-0 lead. They added to their advantage in the sixth, as Shayera McDaniel's sacrifice fly to right field allowed Madrazo to score, making it 2-0.
However, Westcliff delivered a game-changing moment in the seventh. I. Ramirez came through with a bases-clearing double to left, bringing home L. Estrada, L. Coppla, and R. Varela to put the Warriors ahead 3-2. The Redhawks were unable to rally in their final at-bat, falling in a tightly contested matchup.
Game 2:
Westcliff controlled much of the second game, breaking the deadlock in the fifth inning with a four-run surge. Ramirez again sparked the offense with an RBI double to left, plating Estrada. Moments later, S. Kestly's sacrifice fly brought in S. Rucshner, followed by a two-run double from S. Ellerton that stretched the Warriors' lead to 4-0. They tacked on two more runs in the sixth and seventh innings to extend the lead to 6-0.
Facing a daunting deficit, the Redhawks mounted an electrifying comeback attempt in the bottom of the seventh. Annalei Jenkins got them on the board with an RBI fielder's choice, scoring Faith Hahn. McDaniel then ripped a two-run single, cutting the deficit to 6-3. Chloe Wright followed with an RBI single to center, bringing home Gabi Perez to make it 6-4. Savannah Howard kept the rally alive with an RBI single to left, pulling Benedictine Mesa within one.
Despite their late-game heroics, the Redhawks couldn't complete the comeback, falling just short in a hard-fought battle.
Key Players:
Looking Ahead:
Benedictine Mesa will look to bounce back at home on Friday, February 14, when they take on Bushnell.
