Benedictine Mesa used a four-run second inning and a steady defensive performance to earn a 5–0 victory over Nelson University on Friday evening.
After a quiet opening inning for both sides, Benedictine Mesa broke the game open in the top of the second.
Ben Schnurman reached first after being hit by a pitch and quickly stole second, setting the table for the inning's momentum shift.
AJ Fernandez followed with a double to left-center, driving home Schnurman for the game's first run.
The Redhawks kept the pressure on. Following a walk to
Cooper Jeffries and a bunt single by
Tyson Treadgill,
Zeus Durazo delivered an RBI single to right-center. A hit-by-pitch to
Anthony Setticasi brought home another run, and
Jack Moore added a bases-loaded walk to make it 4–0. A double-play grounder finally ended the damage for Nelson, but the Redhawks had all they needed.
Nelson University had difficulty generating offense early, going hitless through the first three innings. Their best early opportunity came in the second when Schulz reached on an error and stole second, but he was stranded.
The Warriors' first hit came in the fourth inning when Nunez doubled to right-center, but the momentum stalled as Schulz struck out looking to end the threat.
The Redhawks extended their lead in the sixth. After Jeffries reached on a walk and advanced on a wild pitch, Sam Ruchala drove him in with a sharp double to left field, pushing the lead to 5–0.
Though Benedictine continued to put runners on in later innings—including two-hit frames in both the eighth and ninth—Nelson managed to hold them scoreless the rest of the way.
Nelson University picked up scattered hits in the later innings, including singles from Schulz in the sixth and eighth, plus another in the ninth. But each time the Warriors appeared to be building momentum, Benedictine Mesa's defense quickly shut the door.
Nelson's final hope ended in the ninth with a double play turned by the Redhawks' infield, securing the shutout.
Key Players:
Looking Ahead: The Redhawks are back on the field on Thursday, February 19
th as they take on Spring Arbor at home.
