The Benedictine Mesa softball team battled hard but came up short against Embry-Riddle, dropping both games of their doubleheader. The Redhawks fell 14-7 in game one before dropping game two 7-2.

Game 1: 
Benedictine Mesa started strong, striking first in the opening inning when Annaleia Jenkins singled to shortstop, bringing home Brandee Ayala for an unearned run. However, Embry-Riddle quickly responded in the second inning, taking advantage of defensive miscues to surge ahead. A Redhawks error allowed Graham to score, tying the game 1-1. The Eagles then capitalized with back-to-back three-run doubles from Anderson and Sulusi, pushing them to a 7-1 lead.

The Redhawks fought back in the third when Gabrielle Perez crushed a two-run double, cutting the deficit to 7-3. They carried that momentum into the fourth, stringing together key at-bats. Michelle Melendez and Arrianna Chiago each delivered RBI singles, and Leiana Madrazo was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, forcing in another run. By the end of the inning, Benedictine had battled back to tie the game at 7-7.

Embry-Riddle quickly reclaimed control, plating three runs in the bottom of the fourth with an RBI single from Bayless and a sacrifice fly from Sulusi, making it 10-7. The Eagles added insurance runs in the fifth with key hits from Anderson, Salas, and Bayless, ultimately sealing the 14-7 victory.

Game 2: 
Embry-Riddle carried their offensive momentum into game two, jumping out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning on an RBI single from Sulusi and a bases-loaded walk. The Eagles continued to extend their lead, adding three more runs in the second with a bases-loaded walk, a sacrifice fly from Myhre, and an RBI single from Jamieson to make it 5-0. Bayless tacked on another run in the third to push the lead to 6-0.

Benedictine Mesa broke through in the fourth when Michelle Melendez reached on an error, allowing Nancy Velez and Arrianna Chiago to score, cutting the deficit to 6-2. However, the Eagles responded in the fifth with a solo home run from Salas, putting the game out of reach and securing the 7-2 win.

Key Performers:

• Brandee Ayala: 3 runs, 3 hits, 2 stolen bases
• Annaleia Jenkins: 2 runs, 3 hits, 1 RBI
• Gabrielle Perez: 1 run, 1 hit, 1 double, 2 RBIs
• Arrianna Chiago: 3 hits, 1 run, 1 RBI

Looking Ahead
The Redhawks will look to bounce back on Friday, March 21st, as they hit the road to take on Park Gilbert.