Benedictine University Mesa completed a doubleheader sweep of Nelson University–Arizona on Saturday, earning a
12–4 run-rule victory in Game 1 before edging the Lions
2–1 in eight innings in a tightly contested Game 2.
Game 1: Benedictine Mesa 12, Nelson University–Arizona 4 (5 innings)
Nelson University–Arizona jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first inning when
Estevannie Rojas blasted a two-run home run to center, giving the Lions a quick 2–0 advantage.
Benedictine Mesa answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning. After a walk,
Leiana Madrazo tripled to right-center to drive in a run and later scored on a wild pitch, tying the game at 2–2.
The Redhawks took control in the second inning as
Shayla Young doubled home Emma Tufnell, followed by an RBI single from
Jasleen Calderon, pushing Mesa ahead 4–2.
Benedictine Mesa widened the gap in the third inning, taking advantage of defensive miscues.
Shayla Young delivered an RBI double, and
Nancy Velez added an RBI single, as the Redhawks plated three runs to extend the lead to 7–2.
Nelson trimmed the deficit in the fourth on an
RBI double by Destiny Medina, but Mesa responded with a decisive five-run bottom half. The inning featured aggressive baserunning, capitalized errors, and was capped by a
three-run, unearned home run from Shayla Young, stretching the lead to 12–3.
Nelson added a run in the fifth on an
RBI single from Rojas, but Benedictine Mesa closed out the game in five innings to secure the run-rule win.
Game 2: Benedictine Mesa 2, Nelson University–Arizona 1 (8 innings)
The nightcap developed into a pitcher's duel, with both teams trading zeros through seven innings as defenses and timely pitching dominated.
Nelson University–Arizona broke the scoreless tie in the top of the eighth using international tiebreaker rules. After
Emily Quigg advanced to third,
Rojas lifted a sacrifice fly to center, bringing home the game's first run.
Benedictine Mesa responded immediately in the bottom of the eighth. After placing a runner on second, the Redhawks put pressure on the defense with a sacrifice bunt and aggressive baserunning.
Leiana Madrazo delivered a sacrifice fly to tie the game before Mesa capitalized on a defensive error.
Alexa Rice singled to right-center, driving in the winning run to complete the walk-off victory.