Benedictine University Mesa battled through nine innings but was unable to overcome a pair of big innings by Taylor University, falling 19–2 on Friday afternoon.

The Redhawks threatened early but struggled to convert opportunities as Taylor capitalized on timely hitting and extended innings to build a commanding lead.

Taylor struck first in the second inning, taking advantage of a defensive miscue to plate five runs on five hits. A two-run double and a three-run double highlighted the frame and quickly put the Redhawks in an early hole.

Taylor added to its lead in the third inning with four more runs, using extra-base hits and a hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded to stretch the advantage. Benedictine looked to settle in defensively in the middle innings, with the pitching staff limiting Taylor to one run in the fourth and holding them scoreless in the fifth and sixth.

Offensively, the Redhawks worked to generate momentum throughout the game. Ben Schnurman was hit by a pitch and later stole a base in the second, while chances in the early innings ultimately went unanswered. Benedictine finally broke through in the bottom of the sixth inning, turning defense into offense.

Cooper Jeffries opened the inning with a single, and after a pair of hit batters loaded the bases, Javier Rochin delivered a clutch two-run double to left field. Jeffries and Tyson Treadgill scored on the play, putting the Redhawks on the board and providing a spark in the dugout.

Taylor responded late, however, scoring once in the eighth and breaking the game open with an eight-run ninth inning that featured a home run, multiple walks, and a two-run single.

Benedictine continued to fight to the final out. In the bottom of the ninth, Ethan Graham reached on an error and advanced into scoring position before the Redhawks were retired in order to close the game.

Jeffries, Rochin, and Kyan Roseland each recorded hits for Benedictine, while Rochin led the team with two RBIs. Multiple Redhawk pitchers saw action as the staff worked to limit damage and gain innings of experience.

The Redhawks will look to turn the page quickly as the series continues tomorrow, Saturday January 31st, aiming to build on the offensive breakthrough in the sixth inning and clean up defensive execution moving forward.