The Benedictine Mesa Baseball team came up short on Saturday afternoon, falling 17–6 to the University of the Southwest in a high-scoring matchup.
Southwest came out firing, posting seven runs in the top of the first inning. Despite a tough start, the Redhawks responded in the second. After Sam Ruchala scored on a hit-by-pitch, Preston Vine-Close delivered a clutch two-RBI single to cut into the deficit. A throwing error allowed another run to come across, and Jacob Bauler added an RBI double to cap a five-run inning, narrowing the gap to 8–5.
The Redhawks showed fight, but the Mustangs continued to capitalize on offensive opportunities, adding two runs in the fourth and five more in the fifth. A.J. Fernandez provided a spark in the bottom of the fifth with a solo home run—his first of the game—to bring Benedictine within striking distance at 15–6.
Southwest added two insurance runs in the seventh to close out the game, sealing the 17–6 final.
Despite the loss, the Redhawks had several strong individual performances.
Redhawk Standouts
Up Next:
Benedictine Mesa returns to action on Tuesday, April 8, with a road matchup against Nelson University. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
