CHANDLER, Ariz. - The Ottawa University Arizona softball team dropped their doubleheader Wednesday afternoon to the Benedictine University at Mesa Redhawks by finals of 5-3 and 14-0 in a final five-innings, at Seton Catholic Prep in Chandler.
 
With the losses, the Spirit fall to 8-36 overall on the year. With the pair of victories, BenU Mesa improves to 17-27 overall.
 
In game one Wednesday, the Redhawks got on the board first in the bottom of the first inning with a pair of runs and never looked back.
 
After scoring a run in the fourth inning, the Spirit evened the score at 3-3 with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth inning on a two RBI double by Sydney Saxton; which scored both Miranda Davis and KaeLynn Miller.
 
BenU Mesa regained the lead with a run in the bottom of the fifth inning and then added another run in the sixth inning to seal the 5-3 game one victory.
 
Serenida Marquez took the loss in the first game, going 4.1 innings while allowing four runs; three earned on nine hits with two strikeouts and a walk. Offensively for OUAZ, Sydney Saxton finished the first game 2-for-3 at the plate with a single and the aforementioned double. Saxton drove in all three runs for the Spirit in game one.
 
In game two Wednesday, the Redhawks once again pounced on the Spirit in the bottom of the first inning; this time to the tune of four runs. BenU Mesa would add another run in the fifth inning and take a commanding 5-0 lead. The Redhawks would never look back from there.
 
BenU Mesa put the game away for good in the fourth inning, finishing with nine runs on ten hits, and they left two runners on base in the 14-0 run-rule victory.
 
The Spirit close out the home portion of their 2018 schedule this Friday, when they welcome NAIA 6^th ranked Hope International University. First pitch of Friday's doubleheader is scheduled for 12 Noon at the Willow Canyon High School softball field in Surprise.
   
 
 
About Ottawa University
Founded in 1865, Ottawa University prepares professional and liberal arts graduates for lifetimes of personal significance, vocational fulfillment and service to God and humanity within a Christ-inspired community of grace and open inquiry. Ottawa University is a comprehensive, not-for-profit educational institution serving 4,000 students through its residential campuses in Ottawa, Kan., and Surprise, Ariz., and adult campuses in Overland Park, Kan.; Phoenix, Queen Creek and Surprise, Ariz.; Brookfield, Wis.; Jeffersonville, Ind.; as well as online. For more information, visit www.ottawa.edu. 
 
For more information about OUAZ athletics, visit http://www.ottawa.edu/ouaz/athletics. Follow OUAZ athletics on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/OUAZSpiritAthletics/ and on Twitter twitter.com/OUAZSpirit.