The Benedictine Mesa baseball team split its doubleheader against Embry-Riddle (AZ) on Friday, dropping game one 11-6 before bouncing back with a convincing 9-4 win in game two. In a high-scoring opener, Benedictine jumped ahead early but couldn't hold off a late surge from Embry-Riddle, falling 11-6.

After the Eagles opened the scoring in the top of the second, the Redhawks responded in the bottom of the third with a four-run inning. Carlos Parra launched a three-run homer—his first of the day—scoring Jack Moore and Willie Tatum. Shortly after, Alec Larson knocked in Stephen Goldsberry with an RBI single, giving Benedictine a 4-1 lead.

Embry-Riddle answered with three runs in the fourth to tie the game and took a 5-4 lead in the fifth with a solo home run. The Redhawks tied it once again in the sixth on a sacrifice fly from Tyler Jackson that brought home Jacob Bauler.

The turning point came in the seventh, when Embry-Riddle struck for four runs, including a two-run triple and a two-run homer. Parra gave Benedictine hope with his second home run of the game in the bottom of the inning, but the Eagles tacked on two more in the ninth to put the game out of reach. In game two, Benedictine Mesa used timely hitting and aggressive baserunning to take control in the middle innings and never looked back.

After falling behind 3-0 through the top of the third, the Redhawks exploded for a four-run bottom half. Carlos Parra brought in the first run with a sacrifice fly. Then, with two runners on, Ben Schnurmen reached on an error that scored two unearned runs to tie the game. Moments later, another Embry-Riddle miscue allowed Schnurmen to score, giving Benedictine a 4-3 lead.

The Redhawks added insurance in the fourth with an RBI single from Ethan Graham. After Embry-Riddle made it a one-run game in the fifth, Benedictine pulled away with a big response in the bottom of the inning. Tyler Jackson was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, forcing in a run. Then, Copper Jeffries delivered a two-RBI single, followed by another RBI from Graham, who advanced on an error as Sam Ruchala came home.

Solid defense and a shutdown bullpen held the Eagles scoreless the rest of the way, sealing the 9-4 win for Benedictine.
Key Redhawk Performers:

• Carlos Parra: 2 runs, 2 hits, 2 HRs, 5 RBIs
• Jack Moore: 2 runs, 4 hits
• Ben Schnurmen: 2 runs, 1 hit, 2 RBIs
• Ethan Graham: 3 hits, 2 RBIs

Looking Ahead:
The Redhawks wrap up the regular season on the road as they travel to California to face The Master's on Tuesday, April 22.