The Benedictine Mesa baseball team split its doubleheader against OUAZ, securing a 6-5 victory in game one before falling 7-6 in game two.

Game 1:

OUAZ struck first in the second inning when DeJesus singled to center, driving in Leach for a 1-0 lead. The game remained tight until the sixth, when Benedictine's Ben Schnuman launched a two-run homer to left, scoring Carlos Parra and putting the Redhawks ahead 2-1.

OUAZ quickly responded in the bottom half of the inning, tying the game at 2-2 after DeJesus reached on a fielding error, allowing Leach to score an unearned run. The Spirit then took a 3-2 lead in the seventh on a Winters RBI double.

Benedictine answered in the eighth with a game-changing three-run homer from Joseph Cosenza, scoring Parra and Alec Larson to reclaim the lead at 5-3. The Redhawks extended their advantage when Preston Vine-Close was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, forcing in Jacob Bauler to make it 6-3.

OUAZ made a final push in the ninth, as Esparza's groundout plated Esparza, and Prenderga's RBI double cut the deficit to 6-5. However, Benedictine's defense held firm to secure the hard-fought win.

Game 2: 

The Redhawks struck early with a solo home run from Alec Larson in the first inning. In the second, Jack Moore added another solo shot, followed by an RBI single from Larson scoring AJ Fernandez. A wild pitch later in the inning allowed Carlos Parra to advance to second while Larson crossed home plate, giving Benedictine a 4-0 lead.

OUAZ responded in the bottom of the second when Leach's ground-rule double to left field brought home Esparza and Hyzdu, cutting the deficit to 4-2. The teams traded sacrifice flies in the third, with Ethan Graham scoring Willie Tatum for Benedictine and Winters scoring Carter for OUAZ, making it 5-3.

In the fourth, Benedictine added an unearned run after a throwing error by the OUAZ shortstop allowed Parra to score, extending the lead to 6-3. However, OUAZ swung the momentum in its favor, as Carter was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to force in a run. Lustig then delivered a clutch two-RBI single to right, tying the game at 6-6.

After three scoreless innings, OUAZ broke the tie in the seventh when Fraser drew a bases-loaded walk, bringing in Lustig for the go-ahead run. Benedictine Mesa was unable to generate any late-game offense, and OUAZ held on to complete the comeback.

Key Players:

• Alec Larson: 3 hits, 3 runs, 1 home run, 2 RBIs
• Joseph Cosenza: 4 hits, 2 runs, 1 double, 1 home run, 3 RBIs
• Ben Schnurman: 3 hits, 1 run, 1 home run, 2 RBIs
• Jack Moore: 2 hits, 1 run, 1 double, 1 home run, 1 RBI

Looking Ahead:

The Redhawks return to action on Saturday, March 15, as they wrap up their series against OUAZ on the road.