Game 1: Benedictine Mesa 9, OUAZ 5
The Spirit struck early with a big second inning, plating five runs to take control of the game. Manny Morales started the rally with an RBI single that scored Trevor Lesperance. Later in the inning, Matthew Carter laid down a bunt single that turned into a two-run play following a throwing error, allowing Mason Whitehead and Morales to score. Carter later stole home before Evan Mendoza capped the inning with an RBI single to give OUAZ a 5-1 lead.
Benedictine Mesa slowly chipped away at the deficit, beginning with an RBI double from Ben Schnurman in the third inning. Jack Moore proved to be the difference-maker for the RedHawks, blasting two home runs and finishing with five RBIs. His two-run homer in the fifth cut the lead to one before Benedictine Mesa pushed across three runs in the sixth to take a 7-5 advantage.
The RedHawks added insurance runs in the seventh and ninth innings, while their bullpen shut down the Spirit offense over the final seven frames. Rolen Driscoll led OUAZ at the plate with a perfect 4-for-4 performance, while Mendoza and Morales each drove in runs.
Game 2: OUAZ 9, Benedictine Mesa 3 (7 Innings)
The Spirit responded with a strong performance in the nightcap behind a dominant outing from Diego Quinonez and a late offensive surge.
OUAZ opened the scoring in the first inning when Driscoll grounded out to bring home Lesperance. Benedictine Mesa answered with two runs in the second, but the Spirit quickly responded with RBI groundouts from Ben Ullyott and Carter to regain a 3-2 lead.
After adding another run in the fourth on a bases-loaded walk to Lesperance, OUAZ broke the game open in the sixth inning with a five-run rally. Isaiah Nava started the surge with a two-run double down the left field line. Camden Knutson followed with a two-run double of his own before Evan Mendoza delivered a ground-rule RBI double to extend the lead to 9-2.
Quinonez was impressive on the mound, tossing six strong innings while allowing just two runs on three hits and striking out eight. Tyler Johnson closed out the game in the seventh as the Spirit secured the run-rule victory.
Knutson led the offense with three hits and two RBIs, while Nava, Mendoza, and Driscoll each contributed key run-scoring plays during the decisive sixth inning.
OUAZ will return to action on Monday, March 10, when the Spirit host Madonna at 6:00 p.m. on KC Royals Field 6 at the Surprise Spring Training Complex.