[Baseball] BENU Loads Up Schedule With East/West Challenge

Benedictine Mesa took on a considerable task to start its 2023 campaign.  After winning three out of four games on their home field over opening weekend, the Redhawks traveled to Lakeland, Fla., for the East/West Challenge against some of the NAIA's top programs.  BENU was winless in its four games but undoubtedly returns a stronger team.  Over the course of three days, the Redhawks lost to No. 1 Southeastern 9-8 in 11 innings, No. 4 LSU-Shreveport 9-4, No. 8 St. Thomas 11-10, and No. 25 Keiser 13-5.  To ease back into the schedule, the Redhawks will host British Columbia, which received votes in the NAIA Coaches' Top 25 poll, tomorrow in Mesa, Ariz.  The BENU offense was productive in the four East/West games, led by Josh Hernandez, who went 8-for-18 at the plate, and Orlando Lorduy, who was 6-for-19.