Benedictine University Mesa secured a two-game sweep over Hope International on Friday, powering past the Royals 8–0 in Game 1 before clinching a hard-fought 5–4 win in Game 2.
Game 1: Benedictine Mesa 8, Hope International 0 (5 innings)
Benedictine Mesa set the tone early and never looked back, using a big second inning and steady offense throughout to earn the run-rule victory.
The Redhawks struck first in the bottom of the opening inning when
Chloe Wright delivered an RBI single to right field, scoring
Annaleia Jenkins, who had doubled to lead off the frame.
Benedictine Mesa broke the game open in the second inning. After loading the bases,
Negasse Williams drove in a run with a single to left, followed by a
two-run triple from Leiana Madrazo. The inning continued with
Alexa Rice adding an RBI single, giving the Redhawks a 5–0 advantage.
The offensive momentum carried into the third as
Alexandra Lopez blasted a two-run triple to center field before later scoring on a sacrifice fly by Jenkins, extending the lead to 8–0.
Hope International collected several hits throughout the game, including singles, but was unable to capitalize, leaving runners on base in multiple innings.
Benedictine Mesa's defense remained sharp, holding Hope scoreless through five innings to seal the shutout victory.
Game 2: Benedictine Mesa 5, Hope International 4
Game 2 proved to be a much tighter contest, featuring late drama and a final-at-bat decision.
Benedictine Mesa opened the scoring in the first inning as
Annaleia Jenkins tripled and later scored on an RBI single by
Negasse Williams. Hope International answered in the second when
Natalie Corrales drove in
Dejalei Visesio with a clutch two-out single to tie the game.
The Redhawks regained control in the bottom half of the second, pushing across two runs on RBI walks by
Leiana Madrazo and
Alexa Rice, taking a 3–1 lead.
Hope continued to battle back, scoring in three separate innings.
Dejalei Visesio recorded an RBI double in the third,
Aliyah Sandoval knocked in the tying run in the sixth, and
Emma McCraw delivered a key RBI single in the seventh to even the game at 4–4.
However, Benedictine Mesa answered in the bottom of the seventh. After placing runners on base,
Shayla Young came through with a walk-off RBI single to left field, scoring
Chloe Wright and securing the 5–4 victory.
