The Benedictine Mesa softball team put up a fight but came up short in both games against OUAZ, dropping Game 1 in a tough 11-0 loss before battling in Game 2 but ultimately falling 10-6.

Game 1: 
The Redhawks struggled to find their rhythm in the opener as OUAZ took advantage of early miscues. The Spirit jumped ahead in the first inning, scoring four runs—three of which came on defensive errors. OUAZ continued to add pressure in the second, with a three-run triple pushing their lead to 7-0.

Despite efforts to shift the momentum, Benedictine couldn't break through offensively. OUAZ put the game out of reach in the fourth inning with a three-run home run, sealing the 11-0 defeat.

Game 2: 
Benedictine Mesa responded with an explosive first inning in Game 2, taking a 4-1 lead. After OUAZ scored in the top of the frame, the Redhawks answered with a triple from Gabrielle Perez to bring in Brandee Ayala, followed by an RBI double from Shayera McDaniel. Chloe Wright added a sacrifice fly, and Jaelynn Corona capped off the rally with an RBI double to give Benedictine a three-run cushion.

OUAZ, however, chipped away at the lead, tying the game in the second on a three-run double before taking a 5-4 lead in the third on a passed ball. The fourth inning proved pivotal, as OUAZ capitalized on defensive errors and aggressive baserunning to score four runs and extend their advantage to 9-4.

Benedictine continued to fight, with Nancy Velez driving in Jaelynn Corona in the fourth. Corona came through again in the seventh, singling to bring home McDaniel, but the Redhawks couldn't complete the comeback, falling 10-6.

Key Performers:

• Gabrielle Perez: 1 run, 2 hits, 1 triple, 1 RBI
• Shayera McDaniel: 2 runs, 3 hits, 2 doubles, 1 RBI
• Jaelynn Corona: 1 run, 3 hits, 1 double, 2 RBIs

Looking Ahead:
The Redhawks will look to bounce back as they head to Embry-Riddle on Wednesday, March 19, to complete their postponed series.