Benedictine University Mesa used strong early offense in Game 1 and a late-game surge in Game 2 to earn a split of Saturday's doubleheader against Arizona Christian.
Game 1: Benedictine Mesa 4, Arizona Christian 3
The Redhawks set the tone early in Game 1, scoring in three separate innings and holding off a late push to claim a 4–3 victory.
Benedictine Mesa struck first in the bottom of the opening frame.
Anthony Setticasi opened the inning with a single, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by
Jack Moore, and scored on
Ben Schnurman's two-out RBI single to left, giving the Redhawks an early 1–0 advantage.
The Redhawks added to the lead in the second inning behind a string of singles.
Jonas Dyas,
Tyler Jackson, and
Javier Rochin each recorded base hits to load the bases before Setticasi drove in Dyas on a fielder's choice to make it 2–0.
After Arizona Christian was kept scoreless through five innings, Benedictine Mesa extended its lead in the fourth when
Tyler Jackson launched a solo home run to left field. Later in the inning, Setticasi tripled, putting the Redhawks up 3–0.
Arizona Christian broke through in the sixth with a three-run inning to tie the game, but Benedictine Mesa answered immediately in the bottom half. Jackson started the rally with a triple to center field, and Rochin delivered a clutch RBI single to score the deciding run.
Arizona Christian threatened late, but the Redhawks' defense and pitching shut the door, retiring the final six batters to secure the win.
Game 2: Arizona Christian 10, Benedictine Mesa 8
Game 2 featured nonstop action, with both teams combining for 18 runs and multiple lead changes in a back-and-forth battle.
Arizona Christian struck first, but Benedictine Mesa responded with a two-run bottom of the first. After Setticasi reached and later scored, Schnurman delivered another RBI single, and an error allowed an unearned run to cross, giving the Redhawks an early 2–1 lead.
The Firestorm surged ahead with a five-run third inning, opening up a 7–2 advantage. Despite the deficit, Benedictine Mesa chipped away. In the fifth, Schnurman doubled and later scored on
Oliver Davies' sacrifice fly to cut the margin.
The game turned in the bottom of the sixth, when Benedictine Mesa erupted for five runs. RBI singles from
Jack Moore and
AJ Fernandez ignited the rally before Schnurman delivered the biggest swing of the night—a two-run double to right. A defensive miscue allowed another run to score, allowing the Redhawks to tie 8-8.
Arizona Christian reclaimed the lead with two runs in the eighth, but the Redhawks continued to fight until the final out.
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