Game 1:
Benedictine Mesa used a dominant first inning and a timely fifth-inning surge to defeat Nelson University-Arizona 7-5 on Saturday.

The Redhawks exploded out of the gate with four runs on five hits in the opening frame. Annaleia Jenkins doubled to start the inning before RBI doubles from Leianna Madrazo and Chloe Wright, followed by singles from Jasleen Calderon and Alexa Rice, gave BenU full control at 4–0.

Nelson chipped away with single runs in the second and third, helped by a triple from Aguierra and a pair of steals, cutting the lead to 4–2. Benedictine Mesa responded in the third when Calderon drove in Madrazo to push the lead back to three.

Nelson tied the game 5–5 in the fourth after two defensive errors led to a two-run triple by Sanchez, but the Redhawks quickly answered. In the bottom of the fifth, Mackenzie Larson came off the bench to hammer an RBI triple, and moments later scored on an error to put BenU back in front 7–5.

From there, the Redhawk defense locked down, holding Nelson scoreless over the final two innings while allowing only two hits.

Game 2:
Benedictine Mesa mounted an explosive comeback but ultimately fell 10–9 to Nelson University-Arizona in a back-and-forth battle on Saturday.

Nelson jumped ahead early with two runs in the first and added four more in the third, building a 6–2 lead despite early RBI production from Chloe Wright and consistent pressure from the top of the Redhawks' order. Two more Nelson runs in the fourth pushed the deficit to 8–2, but Benedictine refused to go away.

The Redhawks roared back in the bottom of the fifth, delivering their biggest inning of the season. After Annaleia Jenkins reached on an error and Shayla Young was hit by a pitch, Leianna Madrazo and Jasleen Calderon set the table for a barrage of RBI hits.

Mackenzie Larson ripped a two-run single, Alexa Lopez punched a two-run single to center to tie the game, and RBI knocks from Young and Madrazo capped an electric seven-run surge that put the Redhawks ahead 9–8.

Nelson responded late, reclaiming the lead with a two-run double in the seventh. Benedictine Mesa threatened in the bottom of the inning with runners on, but the comeback ultimately came up one swing short.

Key Players:

• Jasleen Calderon: Game 1: 3 hits on 3 at bats, 2 runs, 1 RBI, 1 triple Game 2: 1 hit on 3 at bats, 1 run, 1 RBI
• Mackenzie Larson: Game 1: 1 hit on 1 at bat, 1 triple, 1 run, 1 RBI Game 2: 1 hit on 4 at bats, 2 RBIs
• Annaleia Jenkins: Game 1: 2 hits on 4 at bats, 1 run Game 2: 2 hits at 4 at bats, 1 triple, 2 runs

Looking Ahead: The Redhawks are back on the field on Friday, February 27^th as they head to California to take on Westcliff.