Game 1 Recap: Redhawks Fall 5–1 Despite Early Spark
Benedictine Mesa opened game one with early momentum but couldn't turn opportunities into sustained offense, falling 5–1 to Oregon Tech.
The Redhawks struck first in the second inning when
Alexandra Lopez tripled to right and scored on
Mackenzie Larson's infield single and a throwing error. Strong defense kept OIT off the board through two innings, including a sharp double play to end the second.
Oregon Tech answered in the third with an RBI double to tie the game and added two more in the fourth on an infield single and a fielder's choice. Benedictine nearly shifted the momentum in the fifth when
Annaleia Jenkins roped a triple to center, but back-to-back strikeouts left him stranded.
The Owls tacked on two insurance runs in the sixth, and although
Emma Tufnell drew a walk in the seventh with
Negasse Williams running, the Redhawks were unable to mount a final push.
Game 2 Recap: Redhawks Rally Late but Come Up Short, 10–8
In game two, Benedictine Mesa showed impressive resilience, but an explosive late rally wasn't enough in a 10–8 loss to close the doubleheader.
Oregon Tech built an early 4–0 lead with a run in the second and a three-run third. The Redhawks answered in the fourth when
Annaleia Jenkins was hit by a pitch,
Shayla Young walked, and
Alexandra Lopez crushed a two-run triple to right to cut the deficit to 4–2.
Trailing 7–2 in the fifth, Benedictine chipped away again.
Negrasse Williams singled and scored on
Young's RBI, and a wild pitch brought home
Jenkins, making it 7–4.
The Redhawks' biggest surge came in the sixth. After loading the bases with no outs, Benedictine pushed across four runs:
- Jenkins HBP (RBI)
- Young bases-loaded walk
- Jacquelyn Morales bases-loaded walk
- Leiana Madrazo RBI fielder's choice
The comeback trimmed the deficit to 9–8 and swung momentum, but OIT scored one in the seventh, and the Redhawks were retired in order in their final at-bat.
Key Players
Annaleia Jenkins
- Game 1: 2-for-4, triple
- Game 2: 1-for-2, 3 runs, 1 RBI
Alexandra Lopez
- Game 1: 2-for-3, 1 run, triple
- Game 2: 1-for-4, 2 RBIs, triple
Mackenzie Larson
Looking Ahead
The Redhawks return to the field
Friday, February 13, hosting Simpson at home.
