Game 1:
Benedictine Mesa put together several strong offensive surges, including a five-run third inning, but early defensive miscues and Oregon Tech's fast start proved too much to overcome in a 14–9 loss to open Tuesday's doubleheader.
After Oregon Tech jumped ahead early, the Redhawks answered in the bottom of the first.
Anthony Setticasi showcased his speed by stealing second and third before scoring on an infield single from
Ben Schnurman, cutting into Tech's early lead.
Trailing 13–2 entering the bottom of the third, the Redhawks delivered their strongest inning of the day. Schnurman doubled to left, T. Jackson followed with an RBI single, and hits from
Jonas Dyas and
Cooper Jeffries continued the rally. The highlight came when
Zeus Durazo ripped a two-run double down the left-field line, pulling
Benedictine Mesa added another run in the sixth with a sacrifice fly from Setticasi, and continued generating baserunners against the Owls' bullpen.
In the ninth, the Redhawks pushed one more across when
AJ Fernandez singled home Schnurman, who reached with his second double of the game.
Despite the offensive pressure, Oregon Tech's early 13-run burst proved the difference.
Final Score
Oregon Tech 14, Benedictine Mesa 9
Game 2:
Benedictine Mesa kept the game tight through the early innings and produced late offense, but Oregon Tech pulled away in the middle frames to take Game 2 by a score of 10–3.
The Redhawks escaped an early bases-loaded threat in the first, holding Oregon Tech scoreless.
Offensively,
Jack Moore and
Ben Schnurman each reached base in the opening frame, and the defense kept it a scoreless game until the third.
After the Owls struck first, Benedictine Mesa answered right away.
With two outs,
Tyler Jackson drove a double into the gap, scoring Schnurman from first and trimming the deficit to 2–1.
The Redhawks continued to put runners aboard — including singles from
Cooper Jeffries,
Javier Rochin, and
Zeus Durazo — but Oregon Tech's pitching worked out of trouble in the fourth, fifth, and sixth.
Despite the threats, the Owls created separation with a five-run stretch across the fifth and sixth innings.
Benedictine Mesa turned up the pressure in the final inning.
After a walk and a single from Durazo, the Redhawks loaded the bases and
Anthony Setticasi delivered a two-run single, scoring J. Velazquez and Durazo.
Mesa had the tying run waiting in the on-deck circle, but Oregon Tech recorded the next two outs to end the rally.
Final Score
Oregon Tech 10, Benedictine Mesa 3
Key Players:
Jack Moore
- Game 1: 2-for-5, 1 run, 1 triple
- Game 2: 1-for-2
Ben Schnurman
- Game 1: 3-for-5, 2 runs, 1 RBI, 2 doubles
- Game 2: 1 run scored
Zues Durazo
- Game 1: 1-for-3, 3 RBIs
- Game 2: 1-for-3, 1 run
Looking Ahead
The Redhawks return to action on
Friday, February 13, heading on the road to face Nelson University (AZ).
