MESA,Ariz. – Coach Travis Lawler's squad start this week showing resilience, kicking off conference play at Gene Autry Park, hosting a back to back doubleheader with the Law Sierra Golden Eagles.
The Redhawks came in off the momentum of a four game win streak with a record of (9-7) as the Golden Eagles sat at (10-3). Both teams split the series two a piece.
Thursday was the first game of the double header featuring junior right handed pitcher Bridger Erickson on the mound for Benedictine. Erickson was in command reaching his season high in innings with 8 allowing only one run with 5 strikeouts.
The Redhawks took advantage of opportunities with runners on base. In the sixth inning senior infielder Tyler Jackson's sacrifice fly brought in senior utility player Jack Moore. Junior infielder Anthony Setticasi's RBI single put another run on the board scoring junior infielder Javier Rochin later in the inning leading 2-0.
Ben U found runners on base again in the eighth inning with a triple from senior infielder Ben Shnurman to lead off the inning and Rochin getting on base after being hit by a pitch. A RBI single from Jackson brought in Shnurman from third. On the next at bat Rochin stealing third helped him score off a Setticasi sacrifice fly to give Ben U a 4-0 lead.
La Sierra was able to put up only one in the ninth as senior right hand pitcher Bobby Romitti closed the door recording his first save of the season with a score of 4-1.
Erickson was able to secure his fifth win of the season now at a record of (5-1) on the season.
In the second game Ben U senior pitcher Xavier Olivas looked strong with a one run lead heading into the fourth inning.
The Eagles were able to put runners on the bases with a leadoff single and some walks that loaded the bases. A RBI ground ball and wild pitches scored all runners giving La Sierra the lead 3-1.
The Redhawks were unable to put more than one run on the board after. La Sierra pulled away in the next few innings scoring four more runs, winning with a score of 7-2. La Sierra's senior pitcher Ryan Cole pitched well, holding Ben U to only two runs in seven innings pitched, getting his third win of the season at (3-2).
In the third game on Friday, errors and walks from the Eagles helped Ben U get on base, scoring all six of their runs in the first four innings. Efficient base running also was key, especially by Setticasi scoring in the 6th inning on a sacrifice fly to right from third, beating out the throw.
"I think it's just the work we put in at practice getting reads," Setticasi said. "It gives us a lot of confidence, you know just being able to get that extra bag there when we need it, and allows us to just play as a team more."
Another dominant performance on the mound for the Redhawks was from sophomore right hander Cody Campbell. Standing at 6 foot 1, Campbell had terrific command on his pitches with a season high 8 strikeouts in seven innings pitched giving up two earned runs.
Ben U also did a great job with a display of supporting stellar plays like a diving catch in center from sophomore center fielder Cooper Jefferies in the sixth inning.
"It feels great, It's more fun when you're pitching without runners on, you don't have to think about keeping them on," Campbell said.
Senior right hand pitcher Anthony Del Rio was able to come in and pitch two scoreless innings in the 8th and 9th as the Redhawks won 6-2.
This gave Campbell his fifth win this season at a record of (4-2).
"I mean that's huge, Cody showed up today," Setticasi said. "Its pretty normal for him but that brings a lot of confidence to the table especially at the dish."
The final game of the series was the closest of the four with each team having moments early putting runs on the board. A big offensive presence from Shnurman and Setticasi in the bottom of the second as a RBI single from Setticasi scored Shnurman who got on base from a lead off double to left with a 1-0 lead.
The Eagles responded with some runs of their own with a double to start off the top of the third followed by an infield single. With runners on base La Sierra was able to score one run. Tying it 1-1 a piece.
In the bottom of the third Jeffries led off with a single, advancing to second base on a wild pitch. After advancing to third base from a sacrifice fly, senior catcher AJ Fernandez propelled a RBI triple scoring the lone run in the inning leading 2-1.
In the top of the fourth inning a leadoff double and some errors by the Redhawks helped the Golden Eagles score two taking a 3-2 lead.
Shnurman led off the next inning with a double to center field. After walks for Rochin and Setticasi, the Redhawks were only able to score one run in the inning with a Jeffries walk scoring Shnurman from third tying it at 3-3 a piece.
The Redhawks, hoping to hold the tie, Lawler brought in Romitti from the bullpen who gave the team some life from the mound in the top of the fifth. In a pinch with runners on second and third the Eagles got caught stealing from third able to keep the tie.
For the first two innings Rommitti held it down, not giving up a run with two strikeouts in the sixth inning still tied at 3-3.
"Thats the job that needed to done, I didn't need do anything else besides my job in that moment and all I had to do was throw strikes." Romitti said.
Unfortunately La Sierra was able to put some bats together with a four hit inning scoring three runs. The Redhawks were unable to respond in the following inning, losing in the bottom of the seventh 6-3.
Despite the loss Shnurman had high praise for Romitti who had to come in twice in high pressure situations with a lead and tie in games during the series.
"It excites me, I mean there's nobody I trust more," Shnurman said. "Never have a doubt that Bobby is going to get it done. He is somebody I trust more than anything. I've seen him get it done and it's a high leverage situation and he's a high leverage guy and that's why they put him in.
The Redhawks have played well down the stretch after splitting this series with La Sierra they stay above .500 with a record of (11-9). The Redhawks go into next week facing Ottawa University (17-3) in another back to back doubleheader that starts on Friday 3 p.m. (MST).
