Benedictine University Mesa

The Benedictine University Mesa softball team battled through a tightly contested doubleheader against Hope International on Thursday, earning a split as the Redhawks walked off with extra-inning win in game one before dropping game two. Game One – Benedictine Mesa 6, Hope International 5 (8 innings)
Benedictine Mesa showed resilience and timely hitting in an 8-inning walk-off victory over Hope International, overcoming an early deficit to secure the win.

Hope International jumped out to a 3–0 lead in the top of the first inning, using five hits to plate three runs. The Royals added another run in the second to extend their lead to 4–0.

The Redhawks answered in the bottom of the second. After Chloe Wright singled to lead off the inning and moved into scoring position, she came home on a double play, putting Benedictine Mesa on the board.

Benedictine Mesa kept the Royals in check over the next several innings and broke through in the fifth. With two runners on base, Alexa Rice delivered a momentum-shifting three-run home run to right field, giving the Redhawks their first lead of the game at 4–3.

Hope International gained the lead in the eighth inning, scoring once in the international tiebreaker to make it 5–4. The Redhawks immediately responded in the bottom half of the frame. After a walk and a sacrifice bunt put two runners in scoring position, Annaleia Jenkins came through in the clutch, ripping a two-RBI triple to center field to secure the walk-off win for Benedictine Mesa. Game Two – Hope International 11, Benedictine Mesa 3
Hope International controlled the second game of the doubleheader, scoring early and often to earn the victory.

The Royals plated four runs in the opening inning and followed with another four-run frame in the second to build an early 8–0 advantage.

Benedictine Mesa responded in the bottom of the second inning. After two Redhawks reached base, Annaleia Jenkins delivered again with a two-RBI triple to center field, which also broke the record for triples in a season. Jasleen Calderon followed with an RBI single to bring the Redhawks within 8–3.

Hope International added runs in the third and fifth innings to maintain control of the game and close out the win, limiting Benedictine Mesa's offense over the final three frames.