Captains Tanner Crawford and Deven Franks, men’s basketball. Photo courtesy of Benedictine University Mesa men’s basketball team.

BenU basketball starts off the season strong

Posted Nov. 5, 2024

By Malik Payton • Daily Ben staff writer

The men’s basketball team from Benedictine University Mesa defeated Navajo Tech back-to-back on Oct. 24 and Oct. 25 to start the season with a strong 2-0 record. 

The club is poised to dominate the court and create a memorable season with a roster built for strength and accuracy. Captains Tanner Crawford and Deven Franks are committed to maintaining the momentum as they aim to take on future challenges. 

“Starting the season with two victories feels fantastic,” Crawford said. “The crew is reaping the rewards of their hard work. We’re all determined to push one another to new limits and take each game as it comes.”

Franks reiterated his fellow captain’s remarks, highlighting the team’s cohesion and motivation. “We’re more focused and connected than ever this year. We know our potential, and these victories are only the start. We want to give every game our best effort.”

In the future, Benedictine will play West Coast Baptist College in Lancaster, California, on Nov. 8 and Nobel University in Irvine on Nov. 9.

The season is full of intriguing games, such as their first conference game of the year on Jan. 4 versus Arizona Christian University. The Redhawks will have the chance to set the tone for conference play and give their supporters a preview of what to expect this season in this much-awaited matchup.

The Benedictine community, students, and supporters are encouraged to attend and show their support. Crawford and Franks are leading the charge, committed to a season full of hard work, collaboration, and special moments.

Don’t miss out on the excitement — come cheer on your Redhawks and help make this season one to remember!

Malik Payton is a junior majoring in communications and plays basketball at Benedictine University Mesa. Contact him at malikpayton@ben.edu.

Photo courtesy of Benedictine University Mesa men’s soccer.

Soccer seniors step on the field one last time

Posted Oct. 31, 2024

By Zach Haugen • Daily Ben staff writer

This Saturday, Nov. 2, the Benedictine University Mesa Redhawks men’s and women’s soccer teams will face off against Ottawa University at Lehi Sports Park. The atmosphere is electric with anticipation for their Senior Night.

This final home game for the men’s team is not only a chance for BenU Mesa to improve their 6-7-3 record, but also a time to celebrate five standout seniors who have shown commitment and excellence on and off the field. With the seniors set to take the pitch for one of their last collegiate games, fans, family, and teammates alike are gathering to cheer on the Redhawks in what promises to be an intense showdown.

Senior Night is always emotional, and for the men’s team featuring Victor Cerquis Huertas, Yamil Herrera, Luis Higareda, Donato Gil, and Ramazan Lisala, this game represents the culmination of years of dedication to the Redhawks program. Each of these seniors has brought unique strengths to the team, contributing to the dynamic and resilient Redhawks squad that has fought hard all season. As they step onto the field for the final time at home, they carry the pride of BenU Mesa and leave a legacy that will inspire future Redhawks.

Victor Cerquis Huertas, known for his agility and defensive prowess, has been a staple in BenU Mesa’s backline, consistently shutting down opponents and displaying leadership in high-pressure situations. Yamil Herrera has similarly anchored the team with his versatility, switching effortlessly between offensive and defensive responsibilities. His ability to adapt has made him an invaluable player, giving the Redhawks a reliable presence on the field regardless of the opponent.

Luis Higareda has brought energy to the team that’s hard to match. Known for his quick footwork and offensive intuition, Higareda has delivered key plays and has often ignited the team’s momentum with his fearless attacks. Meanwhile, Donato Gil has impressed fans with his tactical mind and controlled approach to the game. His ball-handling skills and precision passing have set up some of the season’s most thrilling moments, showcasing his commitment to teamwork.

Ramazan Lisala rounds out this talented senior group, leaving a lasting impact with his disciplined play and strength in midfield. Lisala’s ability to control the tempo of the game has allowed BenU Mesa to transition smoothly from defense to offense, adding stability that has been crucial in tight matches. Together, these five seniors represent the heart of the Redhawks, each playing an essential role that has shaped the team’s identity this season.

Photo courtesy of Benedictine University Mesa women’s soccer.

As for the women’s team, they hold a 3-11-1 record, demonstrating the spirit and resilience these athletes have shown throughout, making this night a worthy tribute to a group that has left a lasting mark on the program. Seniors Dahlia Alonso, Maya Shearon, Kanoelani Quintal, Mellysa Galiz, Elena Rivera, Nadia Jaffer, Alexis Abbott, and Hannah Wood will take the field for their final home game, each reflecting a unique journey and invaluable contributions to the team.

Dahlia Alonso, one of the team’s most technically skilled players, has consistently impressed fans with her control over the ball and precision passing. As an offensive threat, she has often been the initiator of attacks, using her vision to set up plays that create scoring opportunities for the Redhawks. Her determination and fearless style have made her a fan favorite and an essential part of the team’s strategy on the field.

Maya Shearon, known for her versatility, has been a cornerstone for BenU Mesa’s defense and midfield. Her endurance and commitment have kept the team grounded even in high-pressure games, while her ability to transition between defensive and offensive roles has provided stability in challenging matches. Shearon’s leadership has set a standard for her teammates, earning her admiration as both a skilled player and a mentor.

Kanoelani Quintal, the team’s go-to playmaker, has shown remarkable creativity and agility throughout her time with BenU Mesa. Her quick footwork and tactical awareness have been critical in midfield, where she has the unique ability to read opponents and create turnovers that shift the game’s momentum. Quintal’s presence on the field embodies the team’s resilience and the strategic play that the Redhawks have worked to develop.

Mellysa Galiz, a dynamic midfielder, has been the backbone of the Redhawks’ defense, fearlessly challenging opponents and stopping plays with strength and precision. Known for her determination, Galiz’s tenacious style has helped the team stay competitive in close matches. Her no-nonsense approach to defense and her ability to anticipate plays make her a crucial part of the Redhawks’ backline.

Elena Rivera brings a calm, composed energy to the team. A highly dependable midfielder, Rivera’s consistency has been a source of stability. Her excellent field awareness and adaptability allow her to move effortlessly between offense and defense, giving the Redhawks flexibility in their game strategy. Rivera’s contributions, often understated, have been essential in keeping the team connected across the field.

Nadia Jaffer, a standout forward, has been a powerful presence in the Redhawks’ offense. Known for her speed and accurate shooting, Jaffer has delivered crucial goals and has often been at the center of BenU Mesa’s most exciting plays. Her offensive prowess and relentless pursuit of scoring opportunities make her a valuable asset to the team, and her skill on the ball has kept defenses on their toes all season.

Alexis Abbott has displayed resilience and adaptability throughout her career, contributing to both defensive and offensive efforts. Her work ethic and determination make her a player who leads by example, inspiring teammates with her tenacity and commitment to the game. Abbott’s hard work and dedication to improvement reflect the team’s overall drive, and her presence will be missed in seasons to come.

Rounding out this impressive senior class is Hannah Wood, another strong, tenacious defender whose ability to read the game and disrupt opponents’ plays has been crucial for the Redhawks’ defense. Known for her quick reflexes and strong tackles, Wood’s presence on the backline has helped to maintain defensive stability, and her leadership skills have made her a key voice on the field. Wood’s dedication and composure under pressure have been instrumental in keeping the Redhawks competitive, reflecting her commitment and skill that will be missed in future seasons.

The atmosphere at Lehi Sports Park will be charged with emotion and pride as fans gather to honor Dahlia Alonso, Maya Shearon, Kanoelani Quintal, Mellysa Galiz, Elena Rivera, Nadia Jaffer, Alexis Abbott, and Hannah Wood. As they close out their collegiate careers, these seniors leave an indelible mark on the program, setting a foundation for future Redhawks to build upon.

As Benedictine University Mesa men’s and women’s soccer teams prepare to take the field at Lehi Sports Park for their Senior Night showdowns, there’s no better time to rally behind the Redhawks. For the men, it’s a chance to close out the season strong against Ottawa University, fighting for a victory that would cap off the dedication of seniors Victor Cerquis Huertas, Yamil Herrera, Luis Higareda, Donato Gil, and Ramazan Lisala. For the women, this night honors seniors Dahlia Alonso, Maya Shearon, Kanoelani Quintal, Mellysa Galiz, Elena Rivera, Nadia Jaffer, Alexis Abbott, and Hannah Wood, each of whom has given their heart to this team.

Join us to fill the stands, bring the energy, and celebrate the hard work, passion, and achievements of these remarkable student-athletes. Let’s show the Redhawks our support, giving them the sendoff they deserve as they close this chapter with pride and determination. Be there, cheer loudly, and make Senior Night a memory these players —and our community — will never forget. Both games are on Nov. 2 at Lehi Sports Park in Mesa. The women’s game will begin at 5 p.m. and the men’s will start at 7:30 p.m.

Lehi Sports Park is located at 2228 N. Center St. in Mesa.

Zach Haugen is a communications major at Benedictine University Mesa and plays on the baseball team and aspires to be a play-by-play broadcaster. Contact him at Zach_Haugen@ben.edu.

Suns’ star Devin Booker drives past Mavs’ star Luka Dončić enroute for a basket. Photo courtesy of the NBA.

Support the Suns’ home opener as they prepare for a scorching grudge match

Posted Oct. 24, 2024

By Zach Haugen • Daily Ben staff writer

The first week of the NBA season is underway, which means the Phoenix Suns are set to tip off their 2024-25 NBA season with a thrilling home opener against their fierce rivals, the Dallas Mavericks, on Oct. 26.

This highly anticipated matchup features Luka Dončić, a perennial MVP candidate, leading the reigning Western Conference champions into Footprint Center. As one of the most electrifying players in the league, Dončić’s presence guarantees a showdown of epic proportions, making this a must-see event for basketball fans. With the Suns aiming to reclaim their status as Western Conference contenders, the game promises high-octane action as two of the league’s top teams face off in the desert.

For fans in the East Valley, especially students from Mesa, the light rail provides an affordable and convenient way to get to downtown Phoenix. The Valley Metro Rail runs directly to the Footprint Center, making it easier for those looking to enjoy the game without worrying about parking. It’s an excellent option for anyone wanting to experience the electric atmosphere of a Suns-Mavs rivalry matchup firsthand.

The Suns head into this season with renewed optimism, thanks to their formidable roster anchored by stars like Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal. After an early exit against the Minnesota Timberwolves a season ago, the Suns look to finish the job and etch their names back into a contender for the NBA finals. They are off to a good start with a gritty OT win in their opening game against the Los Angelas Clippers, clinching that game with a final score of 116 – 113. The score from Phoenix was generally spread out; however, Kevin Durant (25 points) and Bradley Beal (24 points) stood out particularly, both combining for 49 points on opening night.

On the other side, the Dallas Mavericks are coming off an impressive season where they reached the NBA Finals before falling short. Luka Dončić, who has been flirting with the MVP award for several years now, will once again be the focal point of Dallas’ offense. Kyrie Irving has complemented Dončić’s play well, being the main number two alongside him. However, the most anticipated player to step on the court is the former dynasty forger in Golden State, four-time champion and superstar Klay Thompson. Thompson’s production has declined rapidly over the past few years, far from his prime, but Dallas is willing to gamble with him. If he returns to his past form, the Mavericks will only become stronger contenders to make other finals run.

For fans unable to attend the game in person, the Suns’ home opener against Dallas will be broadcast live on Bally Sports Arizona and ESPN, allowing them to catch all of the action from the comfort of their homes. The game is also available for streaming through NBA League Pass, making it accessible to fans who want to see the first chapter in what promises to be a gripping season for both teams.

While the ticket prices for this season’s opener might be on the higher end due to the high-profile nature of the matchup, fans can expect significantly more affordable options in the weeks to come. For instance, on Nov. 4, when the Suns take on former MVP Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers, ticket prices will drop to more reasonable levels, providing an excellent opportunity for fans to see two NBA powerhouses clash.

Just two days later, on Nov. 6, the Suns will face another formidable opponent in Jimmy Butler and the gritty Miami Heat. Known for their relentless defense and tenacity, the Heat will present a tough challenge for Phoenix. This matchup, too, will feature affordable ticket prices, giving fans an ideal chance to experience live NBA action without breaking the bank.

The Suns will need to maintain their focus throughout these early-season games, especially against elite opponents like the 76ers and Heat. However, their deep roster, highlighted by scorers like Booker and Durant, gives them a fighting chance in every contest. The key for Phoenix will be how quickly the team can form the necessary chemistry.

The upcoming schedule presents the Suns with a prime opportunity to establish themselves as legitimate title contenders early in the season. With affordable ticket options and accessible transportation like the light rail, fans in the Valley have plenty of reasons to catch a game live at the Footprint Center. For those who can’t make it, TV broadcasts will offer a front-row seat to all of the excitement. The Suns’ home opener against Luka Dončić and the Dallas Mavericks is set to be an explosive start to the season, followed by equally exciting games against top-tier opponents like the 76ers and Heat. Whether in person or at home, fans won’t want to miss a minute of the action.

Zach Haugen is a communications major at Benedictine University Mesa and plays on the baseball team and aspires to be a play-by-play broadcaster. Contact him at Zach_Haugen@ben.edu.

Photo courtesy of BenU Mesa men’s basketball.

Scare up some fun at the basketball Halloween tailgate 

Posted Oct. 22, 2024

By Joey Titone • Daily Ben staff writer

Are you looking for something fun and spooky to do this week? Well you’re in luck, because this Thursday, Oct. 24, there is a tailgate followed by a men’s basketball game.

This will be the second tailgate held this year at the PEC center. The first one was a huge success as we had student athletes from baseball, basketball and many other sports show up and out for the women’s volleyball game against ACU in which they came out with a win. 

There is a twist on this tailgate, however. With Halloween right around the corner, it is only fitting to have this be a costume themed tailgate. Wear your favorite appropriate Halloween costume and come support the men’s basketball team on their game day.

The tailgate will begin at 3:30 p.m. and go right up until tip-off for the game. Feel free to bring food and drinks as they will be allowed not inside the stadium but outside for the tailgate. In past tailgates, members of the SAAC have brought things like burgers, chips and water to help keep students filled up while they tailgate.

The tailgate lasts right around an hour and a half, but if you are just looking to swing by for even a few minutes before the game, the BenU family would be more than happy to see anyone and everyone out.

Come on out and support your fellow Redhawks at 7460 E. Texas Ave., Mesa. Keep it spooky and safe this weekend and best of luck to our Redhawk basketball players.

Joey Titone is a senior communications major and plays baseball for Benedictine University Mesa. Contact him at Joseph_Titone@ben.edu.

BenU men’s and women’s soccer faces Embry-Riddle in the battle of the birds

BenU Redhawks prepare to meet the Embry-Riddle Eagles on Oct. 5. Photo courtesy of Bendictine University Mesa men’s soccer.

Posted Sept. 26, 2024

By Zach Haugen • Daily Ben staff writer

Benedictine University Mesa’s men’s and women’s soccer teams are set to face the Embry-Riddle Eagles in a pivotal GSAC conference matchup on Oct. 5.

The games will be held at Lehi Sports Park in Mesa, promising an exciting evening of soccer action. The women’s game, led by senior forward Nadia Jaffer, is scheduled to kick off at 6 p.m., while the men’s team, captained by standout player Ethan Lush, will follow at 8:30 p.m. Both teams are eager to secure key victories in their respective conference standings.

For the women’s team, Nadia Jaffer has been a crucial part of their success this season. Known for her speed and ability to find the back of the net, Jaffer will be leading the charge as they look to overcome a tough Embry-Riddle defense. With her leadership and experience, the Redhawks are confident in their ability to compete at a high level. Jaffer’s ability to score in key moments will be vital as they aim to break down the opposition’s defensive structure.

The Embry-Riddle women’s team is not to be taken lightly, boasting a strong defensive line and a talented midfield. Their organized playstyle has caused problems for many teams this season, and they will be looking to stifle Jaffer and the Benedictine offense. This matchup will be a test of skill, strategy, and endurance as both teams battle for supremacy in the GSAC conference.

On the men’s side, Ethan Lush will be a key figure for the Redhawks in their 8:30 p.m. showdown. Lush, known for his tactical awareness and creativity on the ball, has been instrumental in orchestrating the team’s offense throughout the season. His ability to distribute the ball and set up his teammates for scoring opportunities makes him a dangerous player for the Embry-Riddle defense to contend with.

Embry-Riddle’s men’s team also poses a significant challenge, coming into the match with a well-rounded squad. They are known for their fast-paced attacking style and solid defensive core. The Benedictine Redhawks will need to be at their best defensively to contain Embry-Riddle’s offense, while also capitalizing on any chances they create on the counterattack.

Both Benedictine University teams will be looking to build momentum as the GSAC season progresses, and these matches against Embry-Riddle are crucial. The Redhawks’ home advantage at Lehi Sports Park will likely play a role, as they hope to draw energy from their local supporters. Fans are encouraged to come out and show their support for what promises to be an exhilarating night of soccer.

For the women’s team, defense will be just as important as offense. Keeping Embry-Riddle’s attack in check will require a collective effort from the Redhawks’ backline and goalkeeper. If they can hold firm and allow Jaffer and the rest of the offense to do their work, a win is well within reach.

Similarly, the men’s team will need to focus on maintaining a strong defensive shape while looking for opportunities to strike on the break. Lush’s leadership and vision on the field will be essential in creating those opportunities, and the team will rely on him to guide them through this important conference clash.

With both games being critical in the race for GSAC conference standings, the stakes are high. A win for either Benedictine University team could propel them forward in their respective seasons, while a loss could make their path to the postseason more challenging. It’s all on the line next Saturday at Lehi Sports Park.

As the countdown begins, both teams are hard at work in preparation for the challenge that lies ahead.

Lehi Sports Park is located at 2228 N. Center St. in Mesa.

Zach Haugen is a communications major at Benedictine University Mesa and plays on the baseball team and aspires to be a play-by-play broadcaster. Contact him at Zach_Haugen@ben.edu.

Volleyball looks to play lights out

Posted Sept. 19, 2024

By Zach Haugen • Daily Ben staff writer

The BenU Mesa women’s volleyball team will face off Saturday against Arizona Christian University in a thrilling matchup that promises to bring excitement to the court.

Set to take place at 2 p.m. in the Coyote Center, the game is sure to draw fans from across the campus. However, this isn’t just another game – it’s a Blackout Game with a special tailgate party starting at noon. Fans are encouraged to come dressed in black to show their support for the Redhawks as they battle for a crucial win in their season.

The pregame tailgate will kick off the event in style, creating an electric atmosphere leading up to the match. From noon onward, the parking lot outside the Coyote Center will transform into a hub of activity, with barbecue food, cold sodas, and classic tailgate games such as cornhole. Students, families, and community members are invited to join in the festivities, enjoy great food, and get pumped up for the big game.

Barbecue lovers will be in for a treat, with a variety of grilled meats and sides on the menu. Whether you’re craving juicy burgers or grilled hot dogs, there will be plenty to enjoy as fans gather to show their school spirit. Sodas and other refreshments will be available to help fans stay cool and hydrated as they gear up for the excitement ahead.

In addition to food, the tailgate will feature some classic tailgate games to keep the crowd entertained. Cornhole boards will be set up for friendly competition, offering a chance for fans to test their skills. Other lawn games will be available, giving everyone a chance to have some fun before heading into the arena for the game.

As part of the Blackout theme, fans are encouraged to wear black shirts to create a unified, intimidating presence in the stands. The idea is to fill the arena with a sea of black, creating an energetic and cohesive crowd that will give the Redhawks the home-court advantage. Special edition black BenU shirts will be available for purchase at the game, for those looking to complete the look and take home a souvenir.

Inside the Coyote Center, the Redhawks will be facing tough competition from Arizona Christian University. Both teams have shown tremendous skill this season, making this a critical game for BenU Mesa. The Redhawks will be looking to capitalize on their home-court advantage and the energy of the crowd to secure a win. With the Redhawks’ eyes on a strong conference standing, this match is pivotal for their season.

The Blackout Game is not just about volleyball; it’s about bringing the community together. BenU Mesa has always taken pride in its school spirit, and this event aims to strengthen that bond even further. The tailgate and blackout theme will give students, alumni, and fans an opportunity to come together in support of the team, creating an unforgettable experience for all involved.

The energy of the crowd is expected to reach new heights, with chants, cheers, and rally cries echoing through the arena. The Redhawks will need every bit of that support as they face Arizona Christian’s formidable team, known for its aggressive style of play and defensive strategies. With so much on the line, the pressure is on – but BenU Mesa’s players are ready to rise to the occasion.

For students, the event is a perfect way to take a break from classes, relax with friends, and enjoy some high-energy sports action. The tailgate offers a chance to connect with fellow Redhawks, while the game itself promises edge-of-your-seat excitement. It’s the perfect combination of food, fun, and athletic pride.

So, mark your calendars for this Saturday’s big game! Join the fun at the noon tailgate, then head inside to cheer on the BenU Mesa women’s volleyball team at 2 p.m. as they take on Arizona Christian University. Don’t forget to wear black, show your Redhawk pride, and get ready for a day of thrilling volleyball action!

The Coyote Center is located at 7460 E. Texas Ave. in Mesa.

Zach Haugen is a communications major at Benedictine University Mesa and plays on the baseball team and aspires to be a play-by-play broadcaster. Contact him at Zach_Haugen@ben.edu.

Coach Frank Woodford, men’s basketball. Photo courtesy of Benedictine University Mesa men’s basketball team.

Benedictine University Mesa men’s basketball kicks off first practice of the season

Posted Sept. 19, 2024

By Malik Payton • Daily Ben staff writer

In what promises to be another successful season, the Benedictine University Mesa men’s basketball team headed to the floor for their first official practice of the 2024–2025 season. With a renewed emphasis on player development and team culture, the Redhawks are building on the strong foundation set by the squad from the previous season under the direction of head coach Frank Woodford, who is beginning his eighth season with the team.

The first few practice weeks are all about Coach Woodford getting to know his roster better. With a blend of experienced returners and gifted new guys, he wants to see how quickly the group responds to challenges and instructions.

“Our main goals for the first few practices are to learn about the players on this year’s team,” Coach Woodford explained. “We want to see who learns quickly, who needs more help, who responds well when challenged, and who might need more instruction.”

Coach Woodford is already seeing encouraging results from this procedure, which is crucial for creating a cohesive squad. The team’s returning core from the previous campaign is its main strength thus far. Coach Woodford says that the returning players have made notable and substantial progress.

“I can honestly say every single returner from last year is better than they were last season,” he said. “That’s a huge advantage for us going into this year.”

Coach Woodford is pleased about the new players’ influence even though they are still figuring out where they fit into the squad. He continued, “Fortunately, we have a very talented new group that is picking things up quickly. 

Coach Woodford is eager to see the team’s strong culture persist, as it was a key factor in their success the previous season. “From a culture standpoint, last season’s team was one of the best I’ve had during my seven years at BenU Mesa,” he shared. “I’m excited to see the returners carry that into this season. Culture is very important for winning basketball games – we had a strong culture last year, and I expect us to have it this season as well.”

The Redhawks are ready for a competitive season because they have skill, experience, and a win-oriented culture. Coach Woodford and his staff’s goal during the preseason will be to build on the team’s early strengths and get them ready for the next difficulties. The first regular season game is on Oct. 24 against Navajo Tech at home.

Malik Payton is a junior majoring in communications and plays basketball at Benedictine University Mesa. Contact him at malikpayton@ben.edu.

Womens volleyball grad assistant coach Courtney Ely. Photo by Daily Ben contributor Benjamin Acosta.

Redhawks prepare to start season in BenU’s first ever home gym 

Posted Sept. 12, 2024

By Benjamin Acosta and Vladimir Sanchez • Special to The Daily Ben

The third annual Alumni vs. Women’s volleyball game will be Sept. 20 at 6 p.m. 

Among those playing will be former player now grad assistant coach Courtney Ely playing against her players.  

Even though Ely is a coach, she plans to “Play like a player,” against her alma mater. In terms of a score, Ely believes the alumni will take the game, “3 to 1 in 4 sets.” 

On Sept. 21, women’s volleyball has their first official home game against ACU.

Ely confidently states, “We’re going to beat them; it might be close but we’re going to beat them.”  

New beginnings to a season also bring a new home for the players, as this will be the first ever Benedictine home game played at the PEC.   

Indoors sports are not the only access to the facilities. In fact, all BenU sports are now working out at this new gym, located inside the PEC.   

Womens softball head coach Rachel Quintero. Photo by Daily Ben contributor Vladimir Sanchez.

Coach Rachel Quintero (head softball coach) states, “It kind of feels that the girls have a home now and it makes a huge difference.”  

She not only feels it’s a great place for the softball team, but having a place for all Redhawks athletics will have a huge impact on the upcoming seasons.  

Academic counselor Raychele Hernandez. Photo by Daily Ben contributor Vladimir Sanchez.

At the root of making the PEC a place for the Redhawks to call home is none other than academic counselor Raychele Hernandez.  

Hernandez stated, “I think as an alumnus I never had that, so I wanted to give the new students a place to go to that was their own. I think our hallmark wall will make this place our own. It ties in directly to the hallmarks we have up in our hallways.”  

She worked tirelessly to give her alma mater something she never had as a student athlete — a place to call home. 

Benjamin Acosta is the student body president at Benedictine University Mesa.

Vladimir Sanchez is the student body secretary at Benedictine University Mesa.

BenU women’s volleyball head coach Lori DeJongh-Slight. Photo courtesy of BenU women’s volleyball team.

A new era for volleyball: Coach Lori secures first win at Benedictine Mesa

Posted Sept. 5, 2024

By Malik Payton • Daily Ben staff writer

After over 24 years of coaching experience at various levels — from NCAA Division I to III, junior college, high school, club, and now NAIA — head coach Lori DeJongh-Slight marked a significant milestone: her first win as the head coach of Benedictine Mesa women’s volleyball. The victory wasn’t just a testament to her experience but also to the dedication and preparation of her team and staff.

“We didn’t have a long preseason, but our early scrimmage gave us the chance to assess our strengths and weaknesses,” Coach Lori shared. “Credit goes directly to the players and my assistant coaches for preparing the team to be ready for the season’s start.”

Despite the limited preparation time, the team’s hard work paid off during their first official match in Florida against RV Indiana Tech on Aug. 15. Coach Lori’s strategy focused on building momentum from the previous season while integrating fresh faces into the squad, a combination that proved to be a winning formula.

Reflecting on the win, Coach Lori expressed, “I was incredibly proud of the team and staff. We scouted as best we could, executed our plan, and got that first win under our belts. It was an exciting moment.”

However, as a coach who sets high expectations, Lori isn’t content with just a few victories. “I’m straightforward and not the easiest to please. This team has expressed that they want to make it to the national tournament, so I’m preparing them for that level of competition with physically and mentally challenging practices.”

The journey hasn’t been without its challenges. The team, which experienced success last season, is adjusting to new coaching methods and a fresh mindset. “Anytime you have change, there are going to be challenges. It’s about growing their volleyball IQ and making us better as a unit,” Lori emphasized.

Looking ahead, Lori sees tremendous potential in this year’s team. “We can go as far as we want to. It depends on how hard we work together and how much we implement what we practice into the game. We need to focus on this season and take it one match, one point at a time.”

Lori’s vision is clear: consistency, focus, and adaptability. “Volleyball is a game of momentum. Anybody can beat anybody on a given night. We need to be ready to play every point, no matter who’s across the net.”

Women’s volleyball player Amanda “AK” Klotz. Photo courtesy of BenU women’s volleyball team.

Players share in the excitement of Lori’s early success. Fifth-year senior Amanda “AK” Klotz reflected on her coach’s first win: “I felt extremely proud and excited for the future of this program. We’re ready to elevate what we’ve built through the years and dominate.”

The team has set its sights high for the season. “This year, we are working towards taking conference and winning a national championship ring,” Amanda revealed.

As the team gears up for the rest of the season, two games stand out: Embry Riddle and Ottawa. “Embry brings a close competitive atmosphere, and Ottawa will be the rivalry of the season. We need all our fans there,” Amanda added. 

They will be playing Ottawa at home on Oct. 11 at 6 p.m. and Embry-Riddle on Oct. 30 at 6 p.m. Both games will be played at the new gym 7460 E. Texas Ave. in Mesa.

Malik Payton is a junior majoring in communications and plays basketball at Benedictine University Mesa. Contact him at malikpayton@ben.edu.

BenU baseball team claims Cal-Pac regular season title. Photo courtesy of Benedictine University Mesa baseball.

Out with the old season and in with the new

Posted Sept. 3, 2024

By Joey Titone • Daily Ben staff writer

Hello, BenU students, and welcome to the 2024-25 school year! Hopefully, the transition into the new school year has been easy for you all. With a new school year is upon us, let’s not forget the many great things that happened last year for BenU athletics, especially baseball.

Last season here at BenU, the baseball team finished the season 33-13 and went into the Cal Pac tournament ranked as the #1 team in the tournament. After a few hard-fought games, BenU was knocked out of the tournament by Embry Riddle University, which ended up going on to the national world series tournament. The losses stung, but the memories made on the field throughout the season were some that players like Joe Cosenza and Kyle Fenner consider “lifelong memories.”

Senior third baseman Joe Cosenza

Senior third baseman Joe Cosenza had a few words about last year’s team accomplishments, but ultimately is looking toward a new season. The senior stated, “The guys on the team last season and the bonds we were all able to make was something very special that I will cherish for the rest of my life. But I’m eager to get into this next season. We should have a very talented roster that is ready to go and compete for a national championship.”

Senior outfielder Kyle Fenner

Senior outfielder Kyle Fenner had more to add about how the team is looking for revenge this season: “We definitely have a fire built up coming off the loss to Embry in the postseason last year. I really do think that this group we have this season, although it is still early in our practice/training, has something special going.” 

To give students who are either new at BenU or really just don’t have the time to keep up with athletics a look into what a baseball player’s day to day life is like, here is Jude Sullivan, a returning senior first baseman to explain what his day-to-day life looks like.

Senior first baseman Jude Sullivan

“The everyday life for a student athlete is not as easy as some think. I start my day at 7 a.m getting ready for my 8 a.m class. I then have classes until 2:45 and then practice right after that from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. I get back home around 8 and then have to do things like get dinner, do homework and any other chores I have to get done around my apartment.” 

That was a small look into what athletes on the baseball team are expecting for the upcoming season. Now, let’s take a look into things coming up around here at BenU.

The team is starting up its first day of practice Sept. 9 at Gene Autry Park. The team will  practice from Sept. 9 up until Thanksgiving break, then resuming again when back from break. As for the start of the season, no official date has been stated: however, it is expected that the season will start sometime in February of 2025 for the baseball team. 

With high hopes this upcoming season for the Redhawks, the grind starts now and will continue for the next eight months. Best of luck to all of the student athletes here at BenU as this new year gets underway.

Joey Titone is a senior communications major and plays baseball for Benedictine University Mesa. Contact him at Joseph_Titone@ben.edu.

The men’s volleyball team lines up with all of their Cal Pac awards. Photo courtesy of Benedictine Mesa men’s volleyball.

Benedictine Mesa men’s volleyball team honored at Cal Pac banquet 

Posted April 25, 2024

By Jacob Vujovich • Daily Ben staff writer

The Benedictine Mesa men’s volleyball team fell just short of securing a playoff spot this season, but their hard work didn’t go unnoticed.  

The team celebrated a night of individual accomplishments at the Cal Pac conference banquet, with several players receiving prestigious awards. 

Leading the charge was senior Dapre Rogers, who was crowned the conference’s Player of the Year. 

This accolade adds to his impressive collection, following three Cal Pac Player of the Week titles and a well-deserved spot on the All-Conference First Team. 

Josh Beymer, a force to be reckoned with in the middle, also garnered recognition. 

Beymer’s prowess as a middle blocker was evident in his 96 kills and a team-high 51 blocks, earning him a place on the All-Conference Second Team. 

Beyond his athletic achievements, Beymer excelled in the classroom, holding a phenomenal 3.93 GPA while majoring in Management & Organizational Behavior, earning him a spot on the All-Academic Team. 

Gehrig Tolman, the team’s primary setter, earned a well-deserved spot on the All-Conference Second Team with his steady performance throughout the season. 

Trevor Weinert, who made a successful transition from middle blocker to outside hitter, played a significant role with 131 kills.  

This impressive feat earned him an Honorable Mention on the All-Conference Team. 

Jackson Walsh, a promising freshman middle blocker, also received an Honorable Mention for his vital role in the offense. 

Damian Bilko and Daniel Compton, who are pursuing degrees in Management and Organizational Behavior and Psychology, were both acknowledged for their exceptional GPAs of 3.94 and 3.91, respectively, to round out the awards.

Jacob Vujovich is a communications major at Benedictine University and plays on the baseball team. Contact him at Jacob_Vujovich@ben.edu.

Chase Field in downtown Phoenix as viewed on Jefferson Street. Photo by The Daily Ben.

Montgomery dominates in debut; D-Backs split series with Giants

Posted April 23, 2024

By Jacob Vujovich • Daily Ben staff writer

Lights. Camera. Action!

In his much-anticipated debut Friday night, left-handed pitcher Jordan Montgomery shined bright like a star. 

Silencing the Giants’ (11-13) bats for six innings, he allowed just one run on a solo homer by Jorge Soler while striking out three and throwing only 78 pitches.

This efficient outing set the tone for a 17-1 rout, Arizona’s most lopsided win of the season.

While Montgomery held down the fort, the Diamondbacks’ (11-13) offense exploded.

The team tied a franchise record with 22 hits, with outfielder Blaze Alexander leading the way with three hits and five RBI.

Every Diamondback starting hitter reached base safely, showcasing their offensive potential.

After losing game three of the series, the Diamondbacks had their backs against the wall.

Making his first career start due to an injury to Merrill Kelly, rookie pitcher Slade Cecconi stepped up in a big way on Sunday.

He pitched six innings, allowing only two runs, and earned his first major league win. 

Catcher Gabriel Moreno provided the decisive blow with a two-run single in the sixth, propelling the Diamondbacks to a 5-3 victory and securing the series split, 2-2.

They head into game two of a road series tonight against the Cardinals (10-13) after dropping game one 5-3.

Arizona’s pitching will be tested against St. Louis’ hitters, who are looking to break out of a recent slump.

Then head to Seattle to take on another young and talented team like themselves — the Mariners (11-11).

On the road, games can be watched on the Diamondbacks Network.

The Diamondbacks return home from their road trip April 29 and take on the star-studded Los Angeles Dodgers.

The game is at Chase Field at 6:40 p.m.

To be a part of the action and get discounted student tickets to home games, text “STUDENT” to 76925. 

Home games are at Chase Field in downtown Phoenix, which is along the light rail.

Jacob Vujovich is a communications major at Benedictine University and plays on the baseball team. Contact him at Jacob_Vujovich@ben.edu.

D-Backs beat the Cardinals on Sunday 5-0 and took the series 2-1. Photo by The Daily Ben.

Diamondbacks survive wild ride against Cubs; Montgomery set for Friday debut 

Posted April 18, 2024

By Jacob Vujovich • Daily Ben staff writer

As the Diamondbacks head to San Francisco for a series against the Giants, all eyes now turn to Friday as the D-Backs (9-10) look to their newest acquisition, left-hander Jordan Montgomery, to make his debut. 

Montgomery, who signed a one-year deal with Arizona in late March, has been building arm strength in the minor leagues.  

Despite a rough outing in his last start, the D-Backs remain confident and are handing the ball over to him for Friday’s game. 

Montgomery’s arrival is a welcome boost to a Diamondbacks rotation missing fellow lefty Eduardo Rodriguez, who is currently on the 60-day injured list.  

The upcoming matchup against the Giants is sure to be a pitchers’ duel, with San Francisco sending out their own offseason acquisition, Blake Snell, to the mound.  

This will be the first time Montgomery and Snell have faced off since they were both represented by the same agent, Scott Boras, and missed a significant portion of Spring Training. 

With both teams looking for consistency, Friday’s game promises to be a test for Montgomery and a chance for the Diamondbacks to build momentum heading into a crucial stretch of the season. 

To catch the action Thursday, the game will be on Fox Sports 1 and The Arizona Diamondbacks channel. 

Montgomery’s debut on Friday will be exclusively streamed to Apple TV+ members. 

Saturday’s game will only be aired on The Diamondbacks channel. 

Montgomery’s debut is exciting, but that isn’t all there is to tell about the Diamondbacks this week.  

The D-Backs emerged victorious in a heart-stopping affair against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday, capping off a game that saw momentum swing wildly throughout. 

The back-and-forth continued into extra innings when Randal Grichuk hit a pinch-hit double to score the game’s winning run in the bottom of the 10^th inning, leading to a 12 to 11 win for the D-Backs. 

To be a part of the action and get discounted student tickets to home games, text “STUDENT” to 76925. 

Home games are at Chase Field in downtown Phoenix, which is along the light rail. 

Jacob Vujovich is a communications major at Benedictine University and plays on the baseball team. Contact him at Jacob_Vujovich@ben.edu.

BenU Men’s Golf team. Photo courtesy of benuredhawks.com.

Benedictine Mesa Men’s Golf claims Cal Pac title, heads to NAIA Nationals

Posted April 18, 2024

By Jacob Vujovich • Daily Ben staff writer

The Benedictine Mesa Men’s Golf Team emerged victorious from the Cal Pac Tournament held at Olivas Links Golf Course in Ventura, California, solidifying their place among the nation’s elite.  

The three-day tournament, which ran from April 15 to 17, saw the Redhawks display remarkable play, carding scores of 295, 294, and 292 in the three rounds for a combined total of 881. 

This dominant performance secured a decisive seven-point lead over the next best team. 

Leading the charge for Benedictine Mesa was James Mackie, who claimed not only the individual title at the Cal Pac Tournament but also the prestigious Male Golfer of the Year award.  

Mackie’s exceptional play throughout the tournament was evident in his scores: 71, 70, and 73 across the three rounds.  

Sabastian Carranza followed closely behind, capturing the runner-up position with scores of 70, 75, and 70. 

Eddie Winkelmann also delivered a strong showing, tying for eighth place with consistent scores of 76, 72, and 76.  

Tony Mike Bonadonna and Miguel Villa rounded out the Redhawks’ contingent, securing a commendable tie for 13th and a 22nd-place finish, respectively. 

The team’s success extended beyond the players themselves, with Coach Brady Barrett being named the Cal Pac Coach of the Year.  

This recognition underscores Barrett’s instrumental role in guiding the Redhawks to this championship victory. 

The Cal Pac title is more than just a trophy for Benedictine Mesa.  

This win grants them a spot in the upcoming NAIA National Tournament, scheduled for May 21 to 24 in Dalton, Georgia.  

The Redhawks will undoubtedly carry the momentum from their Cal Pac triumph as they prepare to compete against the nation’s top collegiate golfers. 

Jacob Vujovich is a communications major at Benedictine University and plays on the baseball team. Contact him at Jacob_Vujovich@ben.edu.

BESPYs are around the corner!

Posted April 16, 2024

By Chris Kissling • Daily Ben staff writer

Come join us as we honor the prestigious student athletes here at BenU!

The Student Athletic Advisory Committee, commonly known as SAAC, is hosting the annual BESPYs, which highlight stellar athletic performances throughout the year. Students are nominated by coaches/administration and will then be posted and voted on in the weeks leading up to the event. 

The event features awards such as Male/Female Athlete of the Year, Freshman of the Year, Breakthrough Athlete of the Year and many others.

The event will take place on April 24 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Community Room in Gillett Hall. SAAC also asks that all in attendance dress formally as there will be photo opportunities leading up to the event. Also, keep an eye out on the Redhawk Athletics Instagram page to see all nominees.

Chris Kissling is a communications major at Benedictine University and plays on the volleyball team. Contact him at christopher_kissling@ben.edu.

Arizona Diamondbacks fans cheer at Chase Field in downtown Phoenix. Photo by Jimmy Conover on Unsplash.

D-Backs slowly slithering way back into win column

Posted April 11, 2024

By Jacob Vujovich • Daily Ben staff writer

The Arizona Diamondbacks have shown flashes of brilliance in the early going, and their last two victories in the last two days offer a glimpse of what this team can accomplish. 

Let’s dissect their recent success against the Colorado Rockies and explore what they need to do to build upon it. 

Both victories were fueled by strong starting pitching.  

Merrill Kelly was dominant against the Colorado Rockies, limiting them to two runs over six innings.  

His ability to control the zone and generate weak contact was key.  

The offense, while not explosive, provided just enough support with clutch hits in key situations. 

This weekend’s series against the St. Louis Cardinals presents a significant test.  

The Cardinals boast a potent offense led by former D-Back Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado.  

The pitching staff is no slouch either, with Adam Wainwright still a crafty veteran and young guns like Matthew Liberatore on the rise. 

This series against the Cardinals will be a good measuring stick for Arizona. 

If they can play disciplined baseball, manufacture runs, and get strong starting pitching, they have a chance to make a statement.  

The season is young, but the Diamondbacks (6-7) have shown they can compete and build upon their National League title last year.  

Building upon these recent wins and continuing to develop their young talent will be key to sustained success. 

Game one of the series against the Cardinals is Friday at 6:40 p.m. at Chase Field in downtown Phoenix. 

For discounted tickets, text “STUDENT” to 76925. 

Tickets range anywhere from $15 to $20. 

Chase Field is located along the light rail.

Jacob Vujovich is a communications major at Benedictine University and plays on the baseball team. Contact him at Jacob_Vujovich@ben.edu.

D-Backs look to boost their offense using Coors Field’s high elevation. Coors has always been considered a hitter’s park.

Diamondbacks look to snap skid behind Kelly against struggling Rockies 

Posted April 9, 2024

By Jacob Vujovich • Daily Ben staff writer

The Arizona Diamondbacks head into the second game of the series against the Colorado Rockies on a five-game losing streak, their optimism from a strong start dampened by a recent slump.  

Despite the skid, the D-Backs (4-7) remain confident, and a matchup with a struggling Rockies team (3-8) presents a good opportunity to get back on track. 

The D-Backs’ slide began last Wednesday, when they lost to the Yankees 6-5.  

Shortly after, they suffered a series sweep at the hands of the Atlanta Braves.  

But, there is no need to panic if you are the D-Backs. 

The Yankees and Braves are two of MLB’s top teams this year, combining for a record of 15-5. 

Early leads for the D-Backs in the first two games against the Braves evaporated, including a six-run advantage on Saturday, after the bullpen imploded. 

Yet, starting pitching has been a bright spot for Arizona.  

Zac Gallen’s strong outing against the Rockies on Monday, where he struck out 10 in five innings with zero walks, offered a glimpse of what the D-Backs are capable of.  

Taking the mound Tuesday to try and build on that momentum is Merrill Kelly. 

Kelly has been dependable this season, going 1-0 with a 1.98 ERA in his two starts. 

Against a Rockies team desperate for wins, a good outing from Kelly could be the spark the D-Backs need to turn things around. 

The series against the Rockies presents a key opportunity for the Diamondbacks to halt their slide.  

While pitching has done well, hitting is not where it could partially be due to injuries. 

With outfielder Alek Thomas still on the IL, shortstop Geraldo Perdomo left last Wednesday’s game against the Yankees with a knee injury. 

Later MRI’s showed a torn meniscus. 

Perdomo underwent knee surgery to repair his torn meniscus and is expected to return in mid-May. 

Kevin Newman, who was selected from Triple-A Reno, got the start Sunday and Monday.  

In the loss to Colorado on Monday, Newman went 1 for 3 with an RBI and a walk. 

With Kelly on the mound and a chance to face a struggling opponent, look for Arizona to fight hard to get back into the win column. 

The D-Backs return home to Chase Field this Friday, for a three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals.  

Friday’s game is at 6:40 p.m. 

Text “STUDENT” to 76925 for ticket deals. 

Tickets can range from $15 to $20 for students. 

Chase Field also is along the light rail for an easier transportation option. 

Jacob Vujovich is a communications major at Benedictine University and plays on the baseball team. Contact him at Jacob_Vujovich@ben.edu.

Come support your Redhawks this week!

Posted April 2, 2024

By Chris Kissling • Daily Ben staff writer

Spring sports are underway here at BenU, so here’s an update along with some games to catch. 

Even though softball is away this week, they have been pretty steady with an 11-14 overall record, 6-6 in conference. They have a double-header against Ottawa University today and two back-to-back double-headers vs. Park Gilbert on Friday, April 5, and Saturday, April 6. On Friday, they will play at 11 a.m at Arizona Athletic Grounds and 1 p.m at Mesa Community College. On Saturday, they will also play at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., but will solely be at Mesa Community College.

Baseball is having yet another very good season with an overall record of 23-9, going 8-1 in conference. Redhawks baseball will be hosting a few games this week against La Sierra: one on Friday at noon and a double-header at noon and 3 p.m. on Sunday. You can watch these games at Gene Autry Park in Mesa. 

Coming off of a nail-biting loss against Ottawa last week, BenU men’s volleyball hopes to stack some more wins going into the final week of conference play. BenU is currently 10-10 overall and 7-2 in conference. Wednesday, April 3, the Redhawks will play Hope International University at 7 p.m. at Arizona Athletic Grounds. On Thursday, April 4, they will play UC Merced at 1:30 p.m., also at Arizona Athletic Grounds. On Friday, April 5, they will play Pacific Union College at 2 p.m. at Arizona Athletic Grounds and will close out the week with their senior day on Saturday, April 6, at 1 p.m. at American Leadership Academy in Queen Creek. 

Make sure to go out and support your Redhawks this week as their seasons are coming to a close!

Chris Kissling is a communications major at Benedictine University and plays on the volleyball team. Contact him at christopher_kissling@ben.edu.

D-Back Alek Thomas hit a three-run home run on Friday against the Rockies. Thomas left the game Sunday and has been placed on the injured list with a strained left hamstring.

D-Backs try to cool down red hot pinstripes 

Posted April 2, 2024

By Jacob Vujovich • Daily Ben staff writer

Opening Day saw the Arizona Diamondbacks make team history and get off to a great start for the 2024 season.  With the current series against the undefeated Yankees, the D-Backs look to hand them their first loss of the season. 

Thursday, Friday and Sunday the D-Backs dominated the Colorado Rockies, their division rivals, 16-1, beginning with a record-breaking 14 runs in the third inning at Chase Field on Opening Day. 

A new club record for hits in an inning, runs in an inning, and plate appearances in an inning were set with this offensive eruption. 

A sold-out Chase Field was abuzz with excitement as the World Series runners-up unveiled their banner for the 2023 National League Championship. 

Following up on his strong postseason performance from the previous year, ace pitcher Zac Gallen had a strong outing on the mound, tossing five innings, with three strikeouts and only yielding one run. 

The D-Backs finished the opening series with three wins and only one loss to the Rockies. 

But the joy was fleeting, as the D-Backs have a difficult test in the series against the New York Yankees. 

After dropping game one on Monday to the Yankees, 5-2, the D-Backs will prioritize developing their young players and creating a more consistent offense in the games today and Wednesday. 

D-Back Alek Thomas left Sunday’s game and has been placed on the injured list with a strained left hamstring.

That opened up a spot on the roster for Jorge Barrosa, who made his MLB debut Monday night against the Yankees, pinch-hitting for Jake McCarthy in the ninth inning and collecting his first hit, a double.

The last time the Yankees played in Arizona was 2022. 

However, the real intrigue to baseball fans lies in the 2001 World Series. 

In 2001, the newly formed Diamondbacks, who had just finished their first season four years earlier, defied all odds.  

The highly favored Yankees, who were enjoying a three-peat World Series championship high, were defeated by the underdog Diamondbacks.  

Game 7 was a thrilling contest that ended in the bottom of the ninth inning with Luis Gonzales from Arizona hitting a bases-loaded walk-off single, winning the World Series. 

Game time today is 6:40 p.m. and 12:40 p.m. on Wednesday at Chase Field in downtown Phoenix.  

Students can catch the action by texting “STUDENT” to 76925 for discounted D-Backs tickets, ranging from $15 to $25.  

The stadium is accessible by light rail.

Jacob Vujovich is a communications major at Benedictine University and plays on the baseball team. Contact him at Jacob_Vujovich@ben.edu.  

Rogers named National Attacker of the Week

Posted March 19, 2024

By Chris Kissling • Daily Ben staff writer

Dapre Rogers, fifth year senior on the BenU men’s volleyball team, was recently awarded National Attacker of the Week. Rogers collected 62 kills, earning a 0.410 hitting efficiency, averaging 5.9 kills per set, with 20 digs. 

Rogers won the honor on March 19 for his performance in the week prior.

We asked Rogers to comment on his most recent accolades including 3x CalPac attacker of the week, and here’s what he had to say.  

“It feels good to be recognized, but it wouldn’t have happened without my team. We had a really good weekend and a hard fought match vs. Westcliff, which allowed me to be successful.”

Rogers also stated that the team “had a rough start to the season battling adversity, but we’re trending in the right direction and confident for the remainder of the season.” The team is 9-9 overall and looking to collect some more wins as the conference play continues. 

Chris Kissling is a communications major at Benedictine University and plays on the volleyball team. Contact him at christopher_kissling@ben.edu.

Honoring our basketball seniors

Posted Feb. 20, 2024

By Chris Kissling • Daily Ben staff writer

As we start to close off our basketball seasons and approach the tail end of the CalPac conference play, we look to honor our seniors and wish both teams the best of luck in the postseason tournament.  

Women’s basketball is having a great season thus far with an overall 13-11 record with a 13-5 conference record. After their winning streak in January, our women’s team became a force to be reckoned with and a conference favorite.

The women’s team won’t be having a senior night this year, so we can expect to see this same roster competing again next season. Their next games will be against Pacific Union College on Feb. 22 at the PHHacility at 5 p.m., and California Maritime Academy on Feb. 24 at 3 p.m.

Our men’s team, however, will be having a senior night, honoring Chris Aibuedefe, Jamaal Wright, Eric Norton, and Quincey Reece. Their senior night will be Feb. 22, at the PHHacility at 7 p.m. The men’s team is currently at a 16-10 overall record with a 11-7 record in the CalPac.

Eric Norton will end his time here with a total of 296 points, 59 steals, and a total of 671 minutes played. Quincy Reece will be closing out his career with a total of 1,356 minutes played, 47 steals, and 490 total points. Chris Aibuedefe is finishing out his career with a total of 527 minutes played, 10 steals, and 145 points. And finally, 2023-24 captain Jamaal Wright will be ending his career with a total of 1,213 minutes played, 49 steals and 462 total points. 

Best of luck to both teams as they take on the CalPac championships in March in hopes to bring home a conference title.

Chris Kissling is a communications major at Benedictine University and plays on the volleyball team. Contact him at christopher_kissling@ben.edu.

Photo of Joc Pederson in his new uniform courtesy of MLB.com.

D-Backs ink left slugger in free agency

Posted Feb. 1, 2024

By Jacob Vujovich • Daily Ben staff writer

The Arizona Diamondbacks made a big free agency signing earlier this week. 

The club signed outfielder Joc Pederson to a one-year contract worth $9.5 million.  

Spending the previous decade playing for the Dodgers, Cubs, Braves and Giants, Pederson has accumulated 186 total home runs. 

Pederson is a two-time World Series champion (2020, 2021) and two-time All-Star (2015, 2022). 

His 2023 campaign was not one of his best, averaging .235 at the plate with only 15 home runs leaving lots of room for improvement.  

He joins an already talented D-Backs’ roster with young stars everywhere. 

Pederson brings a left-handed hitting power bat to a lineup with last year’s Rookie of the Year Corbin Carroll and right-handed sluggers Christian Walker and Lourdes Gurriel Jr.  

His energy will match perfectly with the D-Backs’ “Embrace the chaos” slogan that entered its way into the Valley last year. 

After the D-Backs fell to the Texas Rangers in the World Series, Pederson is the third free agency signing for Arizona, coming after the re-signing of Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and the addition of left-handed pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez. 

They also traded for third baseman Eugenio Suarez from the Seattle Mariners. 

Mark your calendars for the home opener on March 28; this year’s team is going to be filled with passion and talent you cannot miss. 

Meanwhile, whet your appetite with pitchers and catchers reporting for Spring Training on Feb. 14 and team workouts starting Feb. 19 at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, near Scottsdale.  

Spring Training games start around the Valley Feb. 23. 

Jacob Vujovich is a communications major at Benedictine University and plays on the baseball team. Contact him at Jacob_Vujovich@ben.edu.

Photo courtesy of Benedictine University Mesa women’s basketball.

Rival schools gear up for epic face-off 

Posted Jan. 25, 2024

By Jacob Vujovich • Daily Ben staff writer

Rivals clash as our men’s and women’s basketball teams play against Park University at CGCC, 2626 E Pecos Road. 

Our women’s basketball tips off at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 30, while men’s basketball tips off at 8 p.m. 

The theme is whiteout, so wear all white if you can. 

The women Redhawks come into this game in first place in the Cal-Pac with a conference record of 9-1. 

The men hold a 6-4 conference record and sit in fifth place in the Cal-Pac. 

There is a tailgate taking place at Gillett Hall, 225 E. Main St., at 5 p.m. 

There will be Raising Canes provided to eat.  

Competitive games including cornhole and cup pong will be held.  

At the tailgate, you can enter your name in a raffle. 

The winner will then have the chance to make a half-court shot during halftime of the men’s game to win a $50 gift card. 

Find your way to the tailgate and basketball games on Tuesday to discover the fun of sports here at BenU. 

Jacob Vujovich is a communications major at Benedictine University and plays on the baseball team. Contact him at Jacob_Vujovich@ben.edu.

Image by seeklogo.

Suns heating up

Posted Jan. 23, 2024

By Jacob Vujovich • Daily Ben staff writer

The Phoenix Suns continue to gain momentum, clinching their sixth consecutive victory against the Chicago Bulls on Monday. 

In the thrilling 115-113 game, Kevin Durant seized control in the late fourth quarter, delivering a game-winning shot.  

The remarkable moment was heightened by Durant’s mid-air adjustment, skillfully avoiding the late contest from Bulls defender Alex Caruso. 

Following his impressive performance of scoring 40 points against the Indiana Pacers in the previous game, Durant continued his stellar play by contributing 43 points against the Bulls.  

Durant has maintained an outstanding shooting percentage, hitting 55% from the field and 43.6% from beyond the arc in January.  

This remarkable efficiency has played a crucial role in propelling his team to an 8-3 record in 2024. 

Despite starting the year with a series of injuries, they currently hold a 25-18 record and occupy the fifth position in the Western Conference standings.  

With improved health, the newly formed big three of Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal are now establishing chemistry and mastering the art of closing out games. 

Jacob Vujovich is a communications major at Benedictine University and plays on the baseball team. Contact him at Jacob_Vujovich@ben.edu.

50 ball for the Ladyhawks. Photo by Daily Ben staff member Doug Shack.

BenU women’s basketball gives 50 piece to Pioneers

Posted Jan. 25, 2024

By Doug Shack • Daily Ben staff writer

The Benedictine Mesa women’s basketball team emerged victorious on Jan. 20 with a dominant performance, defeating Pacific Union College with a lopsided scoreline of 97-47.  

The win showcased the team’s exceptional skills and cohesion on the court.  

Right from the tip-off, the Benedictine Mesa women’s basketball team displayed their intention to dominate the game. Their offensive execution was impeccable, as they consistently found ways to score and build a significant lead. Ruiz Alize got a double-double, scoring 23 points in 23 minutes with 14 rebounds and one steal. Valerie Van Dijk scored the second highest for the team with 18 points in 19 minutes of play and with five rebounds. 

The BenU players demonstrated their shooting prowess by sinking shots from various positions on the court and capitalizing on fast-break opportunities. Notably, the team’s defense was equally commendable, stifling Pacific Union College’s offense throughout the game. The players exhibited exceptional defensive skills, which forced numerous turnovers and limited their opponents’ scoring opportunities. This strong defensive performance allowed Benedictine Mesa to maintain their lead and effectively control the game. 

Catch the BenU Ladyhawks tonight to see if they can hold onto their win streak (six games so far).  

The Ladyhawks (9-7 overall, 9-1 conference play) face off against the La Sierra University Golden Eagles (4-10 overall, 4-6 record).

Start time is at 8 p.m. @ThePhhacility, 4600 E. Cotton Gin Loop, Phoenix. 

Doug Shack is currently a senior at Benedictine University Mesa and is looking to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design. Doug is also an artist who primarily tackles real world issues. Contact him at Douglas_shack@ben.edu.  

Goodbye fall sports, hello winter and spring sports!

Posted Jan. 9, 2024.

By Chris Kissling • Daily Ben staff writer

Being a student-athlete in the collegiate setting is a privilege only a maximum 10% of high school athletes are able to accomplish. It’s not an easy job by any means — it is a full grind to consistently be practicing every day, playing and performing in their respective games, all while tackling schoolwork and social lives. For the athletes at BenU, this is the typical lifestyle. 

As we enter the new year, we can’t go without highlighting our fall sports, checking in on our winter sports, and getting ready to cheer on our spring sports.  Starting with women’s soccer, the team finished the season as CalPac semifinalists. They also closed out the season with an overall record of 7-7-2 and going 6-3-2 in the conference. Men’s soccer had some really tight and intense matches all throughout the season with an overall finish of 6-8-2 and 4-6-2 in the conference. Women’s volleyball had somewhat of a fairytale season as they took down University of Saint Katherine in the Cal Pac finals in a nailbiter of a championship match. Overall, it was a very successful and great showing to kick off our 2023-24 athletic year. 

Now, let’s check in on our women’s and men’s basketball teams, who are in the heart of their seasons right now as they are early in CalPac play. Men’s basketball is currently 8-6 (3-3 in CalPac), and is looking to clinch some more wins throughout the next couple months. Women’s basketball is currently 5-7 (5-1 in CalPac), and on a 2-game win streak as they get deeper into conference play. You can go support our teams as they take on UC Merced this Thursday, Jan. 11, at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. at Chandler-Gilbert Community College.

With some very successful 2023 seasons, our spring sports are going into this season hoping to one-up their playoff runs from the past. Baseball ended their season last year with a 44-14 record and an impressive run in the NAIA Opening Round. Our softball team went 11-29 overall, 9-19 in conference, hoping to better those results this year. Our golf teams had a pretty good season with the men’s team finishing 25 of 29 in the NAIA National Tournament and our women’s team finishing third in the CalPac. Beach volleyball also had a tougher year, but with the young talent transitioning to beach from indoor, the future is bright. Men’s volleyball had a fantastic run, winning the CalPac and making it to the NAIA Championship yet again. 

Redhawk athletics are a force to be reckoned with and the results and history prove as such. For schedules and more information, go to the BenU athletics website.

Chris Kissling is a communications major at Benedictine University and plays on the volleyball team. Contact him at christopher_kissling@ben.edu.

Benedictine men’s volleyball team. Photo courtesy of the team.

BenU men’s volleyball team returns from France

Posted Dec. 14, 2023

By Tyler Vandewater • Daily Ben staff writer

The Benedictine men’s volleyball team recently took a trip to France over the Thanksgiving holiday. The team used it as a recruiting tool and an opportunity to play professional teams from Europe. 

I caught up with Dapre Rogers, a graduate student from Tempe, and found out a little more of what the Redhawks thought of France. 

He said he enjoyed getting to play better competition in a foreign country, and that it was good for the men’s volleyball team. 

“After big points were scored, we would say for the city, kinda saying like it’s for Mesa or like meaning it for the school (Benedictine),” said Dapre. 

Dapre also mentioned to me how the whole time they maintained a business mentality and although they had a lot of fun remained vigilant that it was a “business trip.”

Dapre said, “We needed to watch the way we present ourselves throughout the whole trip because when we are wearing the Benedictine logo, it carries a lot of weight for us and that’s in public, and on the court.”

Check out the team’s Facebook and Instagram pages for more sights and sounds of its trip to France.

Tyler Vandewater is a communications major at Benedictine University Mesa. You can contact him at tyler_vandewater@ben.edu.

Photo courtesy of @benUmesabaseball on Instagram.

Baseball team gears up for fall world series

Posted Nov. 30, 2023

By Tyler Vandewater • Daily Ben staff writer

The Benedictine Mesa baseball team next week will gear up for its 2024 fall world series. 

The fall world series is a intrasquad scrimmage between three Redhawk teams competing for the ultimate bragging rights. The Redhawk baseball team will play four, three-inning games to determine who will play in the championship game. The championship game will be a full nine-inning game between the two top teams. 

The Redhawks are coming off of their best season in school history, finishing one game away from the NAIA Baseball World Series. The baseball team finished the regular season 44-14, and 21-3 in the California Pacific conference. 

Things look different for the Redhawks this season, after losing several key players and their manager from last year. Even with this loss, the Redhawks return many important pieces to the puzzle. Kam Haviland and Justin Bates were top pitchers from last season, and they look to continue their dominance on the mound again this year. 

The fall world series will be beneficial for the Redhawks to prepare them for the upcoming season. If you want to watch the fall world series, the games are played at Gene Autry Park, 4125 E. McKellips Road in Mesa. All games start at 3 p.m. and will be played on Dec. 5, 6 and 7. These games are free and open to the public. 

Tyler Vandewater is a communications major at Benedictine University Mesa. You can contact him at tyler_vandewater@ben.edu.

Benedictine University Mesa women’s volleyball. Photo from Benedictine Mesa women’s volleyball website.

It’s ring season for BenU women’s volleyball 

Posted Nov. 14, 2023

By Jacob Vujovich • Daily Ben staff writer

The Redhawks women’s volleyball team took home the Cal Pac Tournament championship banner after defeating the 17^th ranked team in the nation, University of Saint Katherine, in five sets (23-25, 26-24, 15-25, 25-20, 16-14) on Nov. 11.  

The Redhawks finished their season with an overall record of 29-3 and finished conference play 18-2, dropping both conference matchups to the University of Saint Katherine.  

After finishing with an amazing record, Redhawks players took home the Cal Pac Freshman of the Year award and Champion of Character award. 

They also had a total of four players who made it on the All-Cal Pac team.  

Taking home the Cal Pac Freshman of the Year award was Jewel Carling.  

Mariah Montoya claimed the Champion of Character award for her outstanding character.  

Kylie Bartel (First Team), Brianna Rivera (Second Team), Hattie Patton (Second Team) and Annika Wallace (Honorable Mention) all took home an All-Cal Pac award.  

The next stop for the Redhawks is the NAIA national tournament. 

The Redhawks take on the 10^th ranked team in the nation, Vanguard University, on Nov. 18 at 5 p.m. 

For live updates during the game, follow BenU Mesa Athletics at Mesa_Redhawks on X (formerly Twitter). 

Jacob Vujovich is a communications major at Benedictine University and plays on the baseball team. Contact him at Jacob_Vujovich@ben.edu.

Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray returns to play Sunday. Photo courtesy of the Arizona Cardinals.

Murray returns in Arizona; Dobbs impresses in Minnesota

Posted Nov. 9, 2023

By Jacob Peterson • Daily Ben staff writer

Much needed good news is coming the way of the Arizona Cardinals as their star quarterback Kyler Murray is officially active for Week 10 after being sidelined by an ACL injury since Week 14 of last year’s NFL season. 

It is safe to say the Cardinals’ quarterback situation has been the downfall of this season with an underwhelming Joshua Dobbs, who would be traded to the Minnesota Vikings at the trade deadline, and rookie Clayton Tune only throwing for 58 yards with two interceptions in their Week 9 game against the Cleveland Browns. 

But the Cardinals have high hopes to turn around the season in the last seven weeks.

As long as Murray can stay healthy, he will add a much needed area to the Cardinals’ offense. Murray not only has the ability to throw the ball at a high rate but he can also escape pressure by scrambling and then running for big yards with the best of them. 

Murray has the ability to run for an average of 3,000 yards on the season, which is where the Cardinals have had struggles. 

The Cardinals take on the Atlanta Falcons this Sunday and are hoping to get their first win of the season since Week 3 against the Dallas Cowboys. 

If you are looking to watch the Cardinals take on the Falcons, the game will be available on CBS at 2:05 p.m. If the game is not available on CBS, you can watch games with certain subscription services such as NFL Sunday Ticket and YouTube TV. 

In other news, previous Cardinals quarterback Joshua Dobbs made his unexpected debut in Minnesota and did not disappoint. Dobbs, despite not even knowing some of his teammates’ names yet, stepped in when starting quarterback Jaren Hall got injured in the first quarter. Dobbs went on to lead the Vikings to a 31-28 win over the Falcons and is getting praise from around the league. Dobbs threw for 158 yards and ran for 66 yards for two touchdowns.

Jacob “JP” Peterson is a communications major at Benedictine University at Mesa, and is also a member of the Benedictine Mesa baseball team. Contact him at Jacob_Peterson@ben.edu.

Photo courtesy of the Arizona Cardinals.

Cardinals name rookie starting quarterback ahead of Week 9

Posted Nov. 2, 2023

By Jacob Peterson • Daily Ben staff writer

As we cross the halfway point during the NFL season, the Arizona Cardinals have traded away quarterback Joshua Dobbs to the Minnesota Vikings and announced rookie Clayton Tune will be starting their Week 9 matchup vs. the Cleveland Browns. 

Dobbs was dealt at the trade deadline on Tuesday to the Minnesota Vikings, who were in desperate need of a quarterback after Vikings QB Kirk Cousins went down with an Achilles injury. 

Although the Cardinals were hoping that star quarterback Kyler Murray would be back by this time to help the team finish the rest of its season, the Cardinals will give the ball to Tune. 

Murray is expected to return to the team as soon as next week, but the Cardinals are not rushing his return with the season going how it is. 

As for Tune, he was drafted in the fifth round of the most recent NFL draft and played his college career at the University of Houston. Other than his one pass attempt during Week 7, this will be the first time Tune will touch the field in the NFL.

This week is going to be a tough task for Tune as the Cleveland Browns have been by far the best team on defense in the NFL. Star defensive end Myles Garrett leads the team and is tied for third in the NFL with 8.5 sacks on the season. 

This Browns’ defense is looking to have a field day with a weak Cardinals offensive line. 

On a better note, Cardinals running back James Conner is listed as active for the Week 9 game against the Browns. 

At 1-7, the Cardinals currently have the worst record in the NFL and are just hoping to finish this year on a high note. 

If you are looking to watch the Cardinals take on the Browns, the game will be available on CBS at 11 a.m. If the game is not available on CBS, you can watch games with certain subscription services such as NFL Sunday Ticket and YouTube TV.

Jacob “JP” Peterson is a communications major at Benedictine University at Mesa, and is also a member of the Benedictine Mesa baseball team. Contact him at Jacob_Peterson@ben.edu.

Photo courtesy of Arizona Diamondbacks X account.

D-Backs headed to World Series!

Posted Oct. 26, 2023

By Jacob Peterson • Daily Ben staff writer

After stunning the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 6, the D-Backs knew the job wasn’t finished. In a back and forth battle between the two teams, the D-Backs would come out on top 4-2 thanks to the bullpen not allowing a single run over five innings of work. 

D-Backs rookie Corbin Carroll was the key player to the D-Backs huge upset as he went 3-4 driving in two runs while also scoring two runs. Carroll also managed to steal two bases, setting him up to be driven in by catcher Gabriel Moreno. 

Although Carroll had the breakout performance in Game 7, the National League Championship Series MVP would go to the D-Backs’ longest tenured player, Ketel Marte. 

Marte went 12-31 with four doubles, a triple and three RBIs, batting an outstanding .387 during the NLCS. He also set the record for the longest hitting streak by any player to start their postseason career, with him getting a hit in 16 straight games. Marte was the main reason behind the D-Backs’ thrilling victories over the Phillies. 

The job is not done yet though as the D-Backs are headed to the World Series for the first time in 22 years. 

This is not an easy task as the Texas Rangers have proven to be one of the best all around teams in the postseason this year. Luckily for the D-Backs, the Rangers lost three out of four games to the D-Backs during the regular season. 

Baseball fans are extremely happy about the World Series matchup as it is the first time in seven years that the World Series will not have the Houston Astros or Los Angeles Dodgers competing in it. 

This truly is a new era of baseball and is going to be an exciting series to say the least. 

Games 1 and 2 will be in Arlington, Texas, at Globe Life Field. Games 3, 4 and 5 (if necessary) will be in Phoenix, Arizona, at Chase Field. If needed, Games 6 and 7 will go back to Globe Life Field. 

The World Series starts Friday, Oct. 27, and could go until Nov. 4 (if necessary). 

All games will be streamed live on Fox Network and start at 5:03 p.m.

Jacob “JP” Peterson is a communications major at Benedictine University at Mesa, and is also a member of the Benedictine Mesa baseball team. Contact him at Jacob_Peterson@ben.edu.

Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns. Photo courtesy of Phoenix Suns’ X account.

Suns’ quest for championship ring begins today 

Posted Oct. 24, 2023

By Jacob Vujovich • Daily Ben staff writer

The Phoenix Suns take on the Golden State Warriors at 7:30 p.m. today in San Francisco at the Chase Center.

The Suns added Bradley Beal, via trade this offseason, to join forces with Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. 

The Suns fell just short of the NBA Finals last season, losing in the Western Conference Finals. 

They lost to the eventual NBA champions, the Denver Nuggets. 

The excitement surrounding Beal’s team debut will have to wait as he will likely miss the season opener with a back injury and teammate Devin Booker will be a game-time decision. 

The home opener is Saturday, Oct. 28. The Suns take on young star Lauri Markkanen and the Utah Jazz in the home opener. 

Home games are played at the Footprint Center in Phoenix and are reachable by light rail. 

Tickets are as low as $63 and can be found using this link. 

If you cannot make a game for any reason, all non-nationally televised Suns games are broadcast for free on Arizona’s Family 3TV and AZ Family Sports Network. All nationally televised games are broadcast on cable.  

Jacob Vujovich is a communications major at Benedictine University and plays on the baseball team. Contact him at Jacob_Vujovich@ben.edu.

Photo courtesy of the Arizona Diamondbacks on X.

Do or die for D-Backs

Posted Oct, 24, 2023

By Jacob Peterson • Daily Ben staff writer

If you would’ve told any baseball fan that the Arizona Diamondbacks would force a Game 7 in the National League Championship Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, they would look at you like you’re crazy. 

After stunning the Phillies with a 5-1 victory in Game 6, the D-Backs forced a winner-take-all Game 7 today and a chance to take on the Texas Rangers in the World Series.

Going into Game 7, both managers are turning to the same starters as in Game 3. Brandon Pfaadt will be on the mound for the D-Backs and Ranger Suarez will be on the mound for the Phillies.

Pfaadt was by far the best starter for the D-Backs in Game 3 when he went 5.2 innings, only allowing two hits with nine strikeouts. Suarez also pitched fantastically, going 5.1 innings with seven strikeouts and allowing only three hits. 

Although Pfaadt has been stellar in his first two postseason outings, he finds himself pitching in what might be the biggest game of his career and against a team that has now already had a chance to face him in the postseason. 

It would not be surprising if D-Backs manager Torey Lovullo has a short leash tonight on his pitchers as the D-Backs cannot afford to let the game slip away from them. 

The same can be said for the Phillies as the D-Backs have now seen Suarez in the postseason and could jump on him quickly this game. Phillies manager Rob Thomson has always had a short leash for Suarez, usually taking him out around the 70-pitch mark. 

The good news for the D-Backs is that they have not struggled one bit against the mighty Philadelphia bullpen. 

In Games 3 and 4, the D-Backs have made life tough for the Phillies bullpen, especially veteran closer Craig Kimbrel. 

Game 7 is going to be a dog fight to the end and could come down to whoever scores that first run and builds some momentum. 

Game 7 of the NLCS will be live on TBS today  at 5:07 p.m.

Jacob “JP” Peterson is a communications major at Benedictine University at Mesa, and is also a member of the Benedictine Mesa baseball team. Contact him at Jacob_Peterson@ben.edu.

D-Backs Game 3 starter Brandon Pfaadt. Photo courtesy of MLB.com.

Last stand for D-Backs?

Posted Oct. 19, 2023

By Jacob Peterson • Daily Ben staff writer

After Games 1 and 2 in the National League Championship Series, it is safe to say that the  Philadelphia Phillies have been nothing short of dominant, taking a 2-0 lead in the series. 

The Arizona Diamondbacks struggled to produce any sort of run support by only putting up three runs in Game 1 and then being shut out for the first time in franchise postseason history in Game 2

The Phillies won Game 1 5-3 and then went on to win Game 2 10-0. 

Hitting was not the only issue as D-Back aces Zac Gallen and Merill Kelly both surrendered three homers each while the bullpen would give up six earned runs in Game 2. 

But not all hope is lost for the D-Backs as they head home to Arizona for Games 3 and 4 on Thursday and Friday and a possible Game 5 on Saturday if necessary. Gallen would be on the mound again for Game 4, and if the D-Backs were to force a Game 5, that would mean Kelly would get another shot at the Phillies but this time on the D-Backs’ home turf. 

Starting Game 3 for the D-Backs will be Brandon Pfaddt, who has had an up and down year but really performed well against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 3 of the National League Division Series. Pfaadt went 4.1 innings, allowing only two hits. 

If Pfaadt can keep the Phillies off balance and stay away from the fastball, he can have another solid outing, and with some run support, give the D-Backs a chance to get a win in this series. 

Starting for the Phillies in Game 3 will be Ranger Suarez, who despite being the Phillies’ third option, is one of the most successful pitchers this postseason, having a 1.04 ERA after throwing twice in the NLDS against the best hitting team in baseball, the Atlanta Braves. 

Suarez doesn’t have the velocity of most big-time MLB arms, but that is what makes him effective. His go-to pitch is his curveball, which hitters are only batting .143 against over the course of this season. 

Luckily for the D-Backs, they have a solid track record against Suarez with most of the lineup hitting .300 against him. As well as the D-Backs hit against him, they have 15 strikeouts combined as a team against Suarez. 

With the home field advantage that the D-Backs have in Game 3, it should be a close game, with the D-backs possibly making this series close. 

Over in Texas, the Houston Astros beat the Texas Rangers 8-5 in Game 3 despite the Rangers being up 2-0 in the series and being at the Rangers’ home field. 

Game 3 of the NLCS between the D-Backs and Phillies will air today at 2:07 p.m. on TBS and Game 4 of the American League Championship Series between the Astros and Rangers will air right after at 5:07 p.m. on TBS.

Jacob “JP” Peterson is a communications major at Benedictine University at Mesa, and is also a member of the Benedictine Mesa baseball team. Contact him at Jacob_Peterson@ben.edu.

Photo courtesy of MLB.com.

D-Backs advance to NLCS against Phillies

Posted Oct. 17, 2023

By Jacob Peterson • Daily Ben staff writer

The Arizona Diamondbacks are in the National League Championship Series for the first time since 2007 after sweeping the National League Division Series with a 4-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 3 on Wednesday night in front of a sold-out crowd at Chase Field.

 As the bottom of the third inning approached in Game 3 against the Dodgers, the game was 0-0 until the D-Backs’ offense took off. 

Shortstop Geraldo Perdomo hit a lead-off home run over the right field fence to get things going. Ketel Marte, the second baseman, smashed his first postseason home run two batters later to put the Diamondbacks ahead 2-0. Christian Walker then launched a 395-foot line drive home run to left two batters later.  

Then catcher Gabriel Moreno stepped up to the plate and sent the fourth pitch of the at bat deep down the right field line for what was believed to be the fourth home run of the inning. Moreno rounded the bags with excitement as the D-Backs had blown the game open and had become the first team in Major League Baseball history to hit four home runs in one inning in the postseason.

But that excitement would be short lived as with a replay review it would show the home run was slightly foul. 

So Moreno would come back out of the dugout to bat again and without wasting any time on the very next pitch Moreno would hit a 420-foot home run to center field, which would officially make the D-Backs the first team to ever hit four home runs in one inning in postseason history. 

Despite allowing two runs in the seventh inning, the D-Backs would keep the lead and win 4-2. 

The D-Backs are now playing in a seven-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies, who eliminated the Atlanta Braves and are heavy favorites in the NLCS matchup. 

The Phillies currently have a 1-0 lead over the D-Backs heading into Game 2. 

Game 2 will be tonight on TBS at 5:07 PM.

In other news across the MLB postseason, the Texas Rangers and the Houston Astros are heading to Game 3 with the Rangers being up 2-0 in the series and looking to complete the sweep in Games 3 and 4 to advance to their first World Series since 2011. 

Jacob “JP” Peterson is a communications major at Benedictine University at Mesa, and is also a member of the Benedictine Mesa baseball team. Contact him at Jacob_Peterson@ben.edu.

Photo courtesy of MLB.com.

D-Backs one win away from sweeping Dodgers

Posted Oct. 10, 2023

By Jacob Peterson • Daily Ben staff writer

The Arizona Diamondbacks are putting on quite the impressive showing against the Los Angeles Dodgers and are shocking the world. 

The Dodgers were heavy favorites to beat the D-Backs in the NLDS (National League Division Series) as they were one of only three teams with 100 wins on the season. 

But that is not the case as after the first two games of the NLDS, the D-Backs have taken a 2-0 series lead and head home to Arizona to play Game 3 on Wednesday, Oct. 11, and possibly sweep the Dodgers, which has not been done by any team since the 2006 NLDS when the Dodgers were swept by the New York Mets.

In Game 1, the D-Backs did not let veteran pitcher Clayton Kershaw scare them in any way. They would score five runs before Kershaw could record an out. Kershaw would leave after that one out.  D-Backs starter Merrill Kelly was able to get comfortable quickly with the big lead and go 6.1 innings, allowing no runs and only three hits. The game would go on to end with a score of 11-2.

In Game 2, The D-Backs would again jump on rookie pitcher Bobby Miller to score three runs in the first inning, which would be enough thanks to an outstanding pitching performance by Zac Gallen, who would go 5.1 innings with four strikeouts. The final score would go on to be 4-2.

Heading into Game 3, the D-Backs need only one win to advance to the next round of the postseason while the Dodgers would need three straight wins to keep their season hopes alive. 

The D-Backs will send out rookie right-hander Brandon Pfaadt to try and secure the final victory while the Dodgers send out veteran righty Lance Lynn, who will look to shut down the D-Backs’ lineup and force a Game 4.

If the Dodgers were to force a Game 4, that would not be terrible news for the D-Backs as that would mean Merrill Kelly would be back on the mound for the D-Backs and they would still be at home. 

Tickets are still available for Wednesday’s Game 3 but at a steep price. If interested in buying tickets, they are available for $133 on SeatGeek. 

Although expensive, it is a great opportunity to watch the D-Backs take down their division rivals and advance to the National League Championship Series for the first time since 2007.

Game 3 also will air at 6 p.m. Wednesday on TBS.

Jacob “JP” Peterson is a communications major at Benedictine University at Mesa, and is also a member of the Benedictine Mesa baseball team. Contact him at Jacob_Peterson@ben.edu

Diamondbacks players celebrate after winning Wild Card series against the Brewers on Wednesday. Photo courtesy of MLB.com

D-Backs stun Brewers, advance to play Dodgers

Posted Oct. 5, 2023

By Jacob Peterson • Daily Ben staff writer

The Arizona Diamondbacks went into Milwaukee as underdogs for a three-game series but did not waste any time as they jumped pitchers Corbin Burnes and Freddy Peralta to sweep the Brewers and move onto the National League Division Series.

Corbin Carroll and Ketel Marte were the standout stars, batting a combined 6-15 while both hitting home runs in Game 1. The bullpen was the biggest surprise for the D-Backs as it combined for 6.3 innings, allowing zero runs, which was crucial to winning those games. 

Next up for the D-Backs, they begin a five-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday. 

The Dodgers won eight of their 13 games against the D-Backs this season and are the heavy favorites to win this series against the D-Backs.

The Dodgers are nothing short of a superteam, but due to injuries, suspensions and age, the Dodgers’ pitching staff is not what it once was. 

Key pitchers missing in the Dodgers rotation are Walker Buehler, who has been out all season recovering from Tommy John surgery, and Julio Urias will be out for the postseason after being suspended after being accused of domestic violence. 

Because of these issues in the rotation, the Dodgers are left with veteran ace Clayton Kershaw leading the way, while rookies Bobby Miller and Ryan Pepiot look to follow in Kershaw’s footsteps and shut down the D-Backs’ lineup. 

Pitching is going to be a huge deal for the D-Backs as there are no holes in the Dodgers’ lineup. Although pitching is the main priority for the D-Backs, it will be important for them to keep the bats hot going into this series as the D-Backs need to take advantage of the Dodgers missing key pitchers in their rotation.

As for the rest of the Wild Card games, every team swept their Wild Card series and the Division Series are set. 

The NL Division Series will consist of the Arizona Diamondbacks vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Philadelphia Phillies vs. the Atlanta Braves. As for the AL Division Series, the teams consist of the Texas Rangers vs. the Baltimore Orioles and the Minnesota Twins vs. the Houston Astros. 

The D-Backs will be in town for Games 3 and 4 on Oct. 11 and 13. Tickets are available for as low as $45 on Seatgeek and Ticketmaster.

Jacob “Jp” Peterson is a communications major at Benedictine University at Mesa, and is also a member of the Benedictine Mesa baseball team. Contact him at Jacob_Peterson@ben.edu

Brianna Rivera goes in for a kill against Saint Katherine on Sept. 8. Photo courtesy of Benedictine Mesa women’s volleyball website.

Redhawk women’s volleyball continues to soar

Posted Oct. 5, 2023

By Jacob Vujovich • Daily Ben staff writer

Dominance is an understatement when describing the Benedictine Mesa women’s volleyball team.  

Benedictine Mesa women’s volleyball has been off to a great start this season, accumulating a record of 18 wins and two losses.  

The team is led by graduate students Brianna Rivera and Hattie Patton and senior Amanda Klotz. 

Dating back to Sept. 9, the women’s volleyball club is on an 11-game win streak. Of those 11 games, nine have ended in 3-0 sweeps. 

Their last two wins came on Oct. 3 against Ottawa University, with a final score of 3-2, and West Coast Baptist College, which they swept 3-0. 

The women’s volleyball team’s next game is Oct. 12 against Westcliff University at the Coyote Center in Chandler.  

For more information on the women’s volleyball team, visit their webpage at https://benuredhawks.com/sports/womens-volleyball. 

Jacob Vujovich is a communications major at Benedictine University and plays on the baseball team. Contact him at Jacob_Vujovich@ben.edu

Brandon Pfaadt, shown playing for AAA Reno, is starting today for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Photo courtesy of Major League Baseball.

D-Backs begin playoff push

Posted Oct. 3, 2023

By Jacob Peterson • Daily Ben staff writer

The Arizona Diamondbacks on Oct. 3 begin their first postseason run since 2017, starting with a big three-game Wild Card series vs. the Milwaukee Brewers. 

The last time the D-Backs played in the NL Wild Card, they beat the Colorado Rockies 11-8, advancing them to the NL Division Series where they would eventually lose to the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

It is safe to say that this D-Backs team is a whole lot different than in 2017. The D-Backs consist of many young talents such as Corbin Carroll, Ketel Marte and Zac Gallen.  

The Brewers will be a tough matchup, though, as they come into this series after winning the NL Central Division and having the best overall team ERA in all of Major League Baseball. 

The Brewers are sending out Corbin Burnes for Game 1. Burnes’ didn’t have his best year but still managed to pull out a 4.28 ERA while striking out 200 on the season. He will be a challenge for the D-Backs to beat, but if the D-Backs can find a way to get ahead in the count, batters see massive increase in success when facing him while ahead in the count rather than behind in the count. 

As for the D-Backs, they are sending out Brandon Pfaadt, who is a 24-year-old righty who made his debut in early May for the D-Backs. Although he has shown amazing stuff for a young pitcher, this season has not been the best for him. Pfaadt posted a 3-9 record with a 5.72 ERA on the season.

The key points the D-Backs need to focus on is having a solid start from Pfaadt, who needs to give them at least six innings and allow fewer than three runs. If he can do that and the bats find a way to stay on top of Burnes, the D-Backs could pull out an upset in Game 1 of this Wild Card series. 

Around the league there are three other Wild Card games to be watched throughout the day, including the Texas Rangers vs. the Tampa Bay Rays, the Toronto Blue Jays vs. the Minnesota Twins and the Philadelphia Phillies vs. the Miami Marlins. 

The Rangers vs. the Rays can be watched on ABC, while the other three games will air on ESPN. 

The D-Backs play the Brewers today at 4 p.m. Arizona time on ESPN. 

Division leaders the Baltimore Orioles, the Atlanta Braves, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Houston Astros all have byes until Oct. 7.

Jacob “Jp” Peterson is a communications major at Benedictine University at Mesa, and is also a member of the Benedictine Mesa baseball team. Contact him at Jacob_Peterson@ben.edu

Photo courtesy of the Benedictine University Mesa women’s golf team.

BenU women’s, men’s golf teams keep eye on nationals

Posted Sept. 28, 2023

By Ainsley McMahon • Daily Ben staff writer

Most people around campus may not be aware that we have women’s and men’s teams for golf.

The teams’ schedules go year-round, but their official season is in the spring.

Their goal for the upcoming season is to win the conference title and to make the cut to go back to nationals, which the men’s team did last season.

Last season, the women’s golf team finished in third place at the California Pacific Conference Championship Tournament. The Redhawks had all four athletes place in the top 20 with one finishing in the top 15, according to the women’s golf website. Amelia Haberman led the Redhawks; other players in contention were Alyssa Jurado, Elena Rivera and Annabelle Somoza.

This past week, the men’s golf team won third place at the OUAZ Fall Invite in Surprise. Standout performances came from James Mackie, Sebastian Carranza, Eddie Winkelmann and Tony Mike Bonadonna, according to the men’s golf website.

Upcoming tournaments include the Embry-Riddle tournament in Prescott on Oct. 7-9 and the Arizona Christian University tournament in Buckeye on Nov. 5-7.

Wish the men’s and women’s golf teams good luck as they represent Benedictine on the road!

Ainsley McMahon is a senior at Benedictine University and plays for the women’s soccer team. In her free time, when not playing soccer or working on schoolwork, she is relaxing with her dog or hanging out with friends. Contact her at ainsley_mcmahon@ben.edu.

Photo courtesy of the Benedictine University Mesa men’s golf team.

Photo Courtesy of MLB.com

D-Backs playoff chances down to the wire

Posted Sept. 26, 2023

By Jacob Peterson • Daily Ben staff writer

With MLB teams having their last two series of games this week, the Wild Card race comes down to the wire. The D-Backs and Cubs are tied for the final two Wild Card spots with the Marlins only a game back as well, and the Reds being only 2.5 games back. 

With these last six games being so important for the D-Backs, they head into the Southside of Chicago to take on the 60-96 White Sox in hopes of sweeping to set up nicely for their final series vs. the Astros. The White Sox have announced tickets for that game will be $1 for any seat in the ballpark. 

But don’t count out the Cubs or Marlins as they aren’t letting up without a fight. The Cubs wrap up their season against the two of the best teams in the National League. They take on the Braves and the Brewers, which may sound like bad news for Cub fans. But with both the Brewers and Braves having clinched playoff berths, they likely will be resting some of their star players to save them for the postseason. 

The Marlins, on the other hand, have six games against some teams who had a rough season this year. They have two series left, one against the Mets, who have had one of their worst seasons in recent years and are now rebuilding due to the terrible team chemistry they have.  Then the Marlins go on to play the Pirates, who haven’t made the playoffs since 2015. 

The Giants and Reds are still alive but would need to win a majority of their games, or in the Giants case, win all of their games while also having the D-Backs, Cubs and Marlins lose their games. 

Over in the American League, most things are set in stone except for the AL West. The Rangers hold onto first place with the Astros only 2.5 games behind and the Mariners four games behind. 

But that is just the division race; the Wild Card race is close as well. The Astros have possession of the third Wild Card spot in the American League, but the Mariners are only 1.5 games back and could knock their division rivals out of the playoff race with a good final stretch of the season. 

A lot of good baseball is coming down to the wire with all of these teams pushing for a chance at making the playoffs. 

Jacob “Jp” Peterson is a communications major at Benedictine University at Mesa, and is also a member of the Benedictine Mesa baseball team. Contact him at Jacob_Peterson@ben.edu

Analysis

Cardinals’ quarterback Joshua Dobbs leaps into the end zone. Photo courtesy of the Arizona Cardinals.

Cardinals look to keep Cowboys in check

Posted Sept. 21, 2023

By Jacob Peterson • Daily Ben staff writer

The Arizona Cardinals went into their Week 2 game against the New York Giants as underdogs, but they went into halftime with a 20-0 lead.

That was short-lived.

New York fought back and earned their first victory of the year, wrecking their home debut. 

The Cardinals’ running back James Conner had an amazing Sunday, taking full advantage of the Giants’ weak run defense, putting up 106 yards on 23 carries while also scoring a touchdown. 

The Cardinals’ quarterback Joshua Dobbs had himself quite the game as well, passing for 228 yards as well as passing and rushing for a touchdown. 

Despite the brilliant offensive output, the defense didn’t come out of the locker room the same in the second half, allowing 31 points by Daniel Jones and the Giants’ offense, resulting in a 31-28 loss for the Cardinals. 

Now with a record of 0–2, the Cardinals will host the hottest team in football, the Dallas Cowboys, on Sunday.

The Dallas Cowboys have been nothing short of dominant so far in the first two weeks of the NFL season. The Cardinals, on the other hand, haven’t shown the same so far.

As expected, many have already ruled this week as a loss for the Cardinals as they are the heavy underdog expected to lose by as much as 14 points. 

The key for the Cardinals is to stop Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb. Prescott has passed for about 400 yards this season with 220 of those yards being received by Lamb. If the Cardinals want any chance of winning this game, they have to protect the pass offense and keep an eye out for Micah Parsons on defense, who already has three sacks on the season. 

The Cardinals’ host the Cowboys on Sunday Sept. 24 at 1:25 pm Mountain Standard Time. The game will be available to watch on Fox Network or with a subscription to NFL+.

Jacob “Jp” Peterson is a communications major at Benedictine University at Mesa, and is also a member of the Benedictine Mesa baseball team. Contact him at Jacob_Peterson@ben.edu

Diamondbacks rookie Corbin Carroll. Photo courtesy of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

D=Backs’ Corbin Carroll makes baseball history

Posted Sept. 21, 2023

By Jacob Peterson • Daily Ben staff writer

Arizona Diamondbacks rookie Corbin Carroll made history Wednesday afternoon by becoming the first rookie in MLB history to ever hit 25 home runs and steal 50 bases. 

With his two steals early in the game against the Giants on Wednesday, Carroll hit the 50 stolen base mark but stood one homer short of completing the historic rookie season. 

As he stepped into the box in the seventh inning, he would hit a 403-foot home run to reach 25 homers on the season.

The Diamondbacks would go on to sweep the Giants and build a 1.5 game lead for the second Wild Card spot in the National League. 

The Diamondbacks have nine games left in the season and are looking promising to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2017.  

The D-Backs host their final home series Sept. 29-31 against the Houston Astros. 

Tickets are available to students for as low as $5 with this link. 

Go support the D-Backs as they finish the season strong!

Jacob “Jp” Peterson is a communications major at Benedictine University at Mesa, and is also a member of the Benedictine Mesa baseball team. Contact him at Jacob_Peterson@ben.edu

Diamondbacks’ ace, Zac Gallen. Photo courtesy of MLB.com.

D-Backs and Giants get set for pivotal 2-game series 

Posted Sept. 19, 2023

By Jacob Vujovich • Daily Ben staff writer

The Diamondbacks take on the San Francisco Giants tonight and Wednesday in a crucial two-game series, with wild-card playoff implications. 

Coming off a huge sweep against the Chicago Cubs, the Diamondbacks are coming into the series having posted a 79-72 record, which sits them a mere half-game ahead of the Cubs for the second wild-card spot.  

The Giants enter the series with a record of 76-74, two full games behind the third wild-card spot.  

Cy Young contender Zac Gallen is toeing the rubber today at 6:40 p.m., with Merrill Kelly starting Wednesday’s game at 12:40 p.m. 

The D-Backs are sending their top two pitchers at their division rival in hopes of gaining a healthy lead in the wild-card race. 

To buy $5 tickets for tonight’s game, visit https://bit.ly/3PJdwrS. Chase Field in downtown Phoenix is also on the light rail route, making transportation more affordable. 

Jacob Vujovich is a communications major at Benedictine University and plays on the baseball team. Contact him at Jacob_Vujovich@ben.edu.

Analysis

Cardinals running back James Conner should have big game on Sunday against the New York Giants. Courtesy of the Arizona Cardinals.

What do Cards need to do to win vs. Giants?

Posted Sept. 14, 2023

By Jacob Peterson • Daily Ben staff writer

This last week was the beginning of the 2023-24 NFL season and the Cardinals began their season as underdogs against the Washington Commanders. Despite the underdog projection, the Cardinals held the lead all the way into the fourth quarter. Unfortunately, the Cardinals let the lead slip away and eventually fell to the Commanders 20-16. 

Although the Cardinals lost, fans have high hopes that the Cardinals took a step in the right direction. 

James Conner ran for a total of 62 yards on 14 carries and would be the standout player for the Cardinals on offense. Not much else would come from the offense as Joshua Dobbs threw for only 132 yards and was sacked three times. 

Despite the offense suffering, the defense went on to get six sacks, an interception, and score a touchdown. This performance is leaving the Cardinals fans hopeful that with a better performance by Dobbs or the return of Kyler Murray, the Cardinals may be a winning team. 

Coming up this Sunday, the Cardinals are set to have their first home game against the New York Giants, who are coming off a monster blowout on “Monday Night Football,” losing to the Cowboys 40-0. 

With the lack of offense both teams had in Week 1, it is safe to say there should be a lot of yards stored up for both offenses. 

The Giants’ pass defense ranks in the middle of the pack with their run defense being toward the bottom. If James Conner can maintain his strong run game, the running back could be set up for a big Sunday. 

A big key for the Cardinals is their run defense. Giants running back Saquon Barkley is a defensive killer and could put up a big running game at any point during the season.  Thankfully, the Cardinals have been known for having a higher tier run defense and could keep the Giants’ offense quiet for a second week in a row. 

The Giants have the Cardinals beat in a couple areas, though. Quarterbacks and wide receivers Daniel Jones, Darius Slayton and Isaiah Hodgins are a young group that can run up the score quickly. It will be important for safety Budda Baker and the rest of the Cardinals defense to pay attention to those players. 

The Week 2 matchup will be a lot closer than many assume. This will be a must-watch game.

Jacob “Jp” Peterson is a communications major at Benedictine University at Mesa, and is also a member of the Benedictine Mesa baseball team. Contact him at Jacob_Peterson@ben.edu

Jordan Lawler. Courtesy of Arizona Diamondbacks.

Big series for D-Backs heading into final weeks of the season

Posted Sept. 12, 2023

By Jacob Peterson • Daily Ben staff writer

As the final weeks of the 2023 baseball season begin, The D-Backs have a couple of  important series in their battle for a Wild Card spot in the National League.

Starting this Friday, the Chicago Cubs come into town for a three-game series against the D-Backs. The Cubs have a two-game lead over the D-Backs and hold onto the second Wild Card spot. 

With recent roster moves, both the Cubs and D-Backs seem to be looking to their young prospects for a final push down the stretch of the season. 

The Cubs recently called up top prospect Pete-Crow Armstrong to add some depth and speed to their outfield. The D-Backs recently called up Jordan Lawler and signed catcher Seby Zavala from the White Sox in hopes he can give the team some clutch at bats.  The D-Backs also called up rookie Andrew Saalfrank for some help out of the bullpen.

Shortly after the series against the Cubs, the D-Backs welcome the San Francisco Giants to town on the 19th and 20th for a two-game series. The Giants currently sit 1.5 games back from the final WIld Card spot in which the D-Backs have a hold of right now. They also are tied with the Marlins with a record of 74-70.  

If you or a friend are interested in attending one or all of these games, tickets are available for students for as low as $5 by clicking this link. 

 If you are looking for an inexpensive way to travel to Chase Field, you can access the light rail for $4.

Cheer on your D-Backs as they fight to make it back to the playoffs for the first time since 2017! 

Jacob “Jp” Peterson is a communications major at Benedictine University at Mesa, and is also a member of the Benedictine Mesa baseball team. Contact him at Jacob_Peterson@ben.edu

Joshua Dobbs. Courtesy of Arizona Cardinals.

Cardinals have work cut out for them

Posted Sept. 5, 2023

By Jacob Peterson • Daily Ben staff writer

As the Cardinals head into the 2023-24 season, things are not looking bright for the team. 

Going into the offseason, the Cardinals were hit with drama right away — from their top receiver Deandre Hopkins requesting a trade to Cardinals team executive Terry McDonough being accused of harassment. Along with that, the team received an F grade from the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) for its lack of nutritional considerations and the condition of its training facilities. 

Although they had a rough offseason, the Cardinals did manage to sign linebacker Kyzir White to a two-year deal. As good of a signing as that is, that does not make up for the fact that the Cardinals lost a solid amount of players. 

But at least their team captain and star quarterback Kyler Murray should be of help, right? Wrong. Kyler Murray suffered an ACL tear last season in a non-important week 14 matchup last season. Murray is projected to be out at least the first four games of the 2023-24 NFL season. 

With everything going on in the Cardinals organization, there is a bright spot for the team: the running back for the Cardinals, James Conner. Conner finished the year out playing 90% of the team’s snaps. Conner is projected to have a breakout year being the team’s main running back and source of offense. 

With Kyler Murray out for the first four games, the Cardinals are in search of a quarterback as well. Joshua Dobbs and Clayton Tune are battling it out to see who the week 1 starting quarterback will be. 

According to the NFL website, the Cardinals have the lowest win projection of all NFL teams with a projected total of 3.9 wins for the entire season. 

The Arizona Cardinals open their season against the Washington Commanders in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 10, 2023. You can tune into Fox at 10 a.m.

The Cardinals have their first home game of the 2023-24 season on Sept. 17, 2023, against the New York Giants.

If you are interested in supporting the Cardinals this season, you can find cheap tickets on Seat Geek for as low as $26. 

James Conner. Courtesy of Arizona Cardinals.

Jacob “JP” Peterson is a communications major at Benedictine University at Mesa and is a member of the Benedictine Mesa baseball team. Contact him at Jacob_Peterson@ben.edu.

Season-ending loss in regionals title game for Redhawks

Updated May 19: The season came to an end for the BenU Redhawks after their loss to No. 1 seed Westmont, 10-1, in Game 8, the Opening Round title matchup on May 18. The Redhawks’ overall season record was 44-13 (2-2 at regionals). Also for the season, BenU had a 27-game win streak, 12 come from behind wins, three shutouts, and four wins by run rule. The Redhawks had three Cal Pac Individual Awards, six All-Cal Pac first team athletes, and six All-Defensive players. Read more about BenU’s Game 8.

Updated May 18: Benedictine-Mesa (2-1) defeated Vanguard, 11-7, in Game 7 on May 17 and plays No. 1 seed Westmont in Game 8 at 10 a.m. Arizona time May 18. Read more about BenU’s Game 7.

Updated May 17: Benedictine-Mesa (1-1) fell to No. 1 seed Westmont, 7-2, in Game 5 on May 16 and will play the winner of Game 6 — either British Columbia or Vanguard — in Game 7 at 2:30 p.m. Arizona time May 17. Read more about BenU’s Game 5.

Updated May 16: Benedictine-Mesa (1-0) defeated Vanguard, 5-4, in Game 2 on May 15 and plays the winner of Game 3 — Westmont (who defeated British Columbia, 7-6, in 10 innings) — in Game 5 at 4 p.m. Arizona time on May 16. Read more about BenU’s opening round.

Original post May 12, 2023

Daily Ben staff reports

The Benedictine University-Mesa men’s baseball team has made it into the NAIA National Championship and will face Vanguard in Game 2 on May 15 at Russell Carr Field at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California.

The game starts at 12:30 p.m. Arizona time on May 15 and can be viewed on Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Roku and online at https://athletics.westmont.edu/video.

The national championship runs through May 18 and will decide who moves on to the NAIA Baseball World Series, which will be held May 26-June 2 at Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho.

The Redhawks made it into the Cal Pac Championship game on May 5, but lost to the University of Antelope Valley Pioneers, 4-3. BenU went 2-2 at the Cal Pac tournament with losses to Simpson University and the University of Antelope Valley and wins over Westcliff University and Simpson University. 

BenU finished with a 42-12 overall record for the 2023 season.

Follow national championship action here.

CalPac tournament play continues in Mesa

Posted May 4, 2023

By Noah Thompson • Daily Ben staff writer

The 2023 CalPac Baseball tournament is here. Every game will be hosted at Hohokam
Stadium near Center Street and Brown Road.

If you’re bored and want to go outside and enjoy the good weather, go watch a college
baseball game and support the #1 seed Benedictine Mesa baseball team as they look to win the CalPac Conference Championship.

BenU plays today at 2:30 p.m. against Westcliff University. If they win, they will play right after at 6 p.m. If you can’t make it out to a game, you can still watch BenU play on YouTube.

Visit Benedictine Mesa Athletics on YouTube and you can stream the games live.

Noah Thompson is a communication arts major. He plays on the baseball team and it’s his second year at BenU. Contact him at Noah_Thompson@ben.edu.

Chris Paul listed as doubtful for Game 3

Photo by Vachon Myers.

Posted May 4, 2023

By Frank Johnson • Daily Ben staff writer

The Phoenix Suns have their work cut out for them Friday as they host the Denver Nuggets for Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals.

With starting point guard Chris Paul battling a groin injury, his return for the series will be a challenge, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Injuries are nothing new for this Suns team. Throughout the year, all five starters have had to miss time in order to take care of their health. Suns Coach Monty Willams has always had the “next man up” approach with his team; this will be beneficial in the preparation of playing without Paul on Friday. 

The Nuggets have come out smoking hot in the first 2 games of this series, with MVP runner-up Nikola Jokić averaging 31 points, 17.5 rebounds, and 5 assists. Starting point guard Jamal Muarry also got off to a hot start in Game 1 with 34 points and 9 assists, but seemed to have an off-night for Game 2. 

The game will be streamed live on ESPN or Bally Sports Arizona at 7 p.m. Tickets to see the game live can be purchased on Ticketmaster.com. See links below for more info: 

ESPN Live Stream: https://www.espn.com/watch/catalog/7b3729c9-7f69-308a-bf8a-ee15a6aba154/nba

Bally Sports Arizona: https://www.ballysports.com/arizona/

Tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.com/west-conf-semis-game-3-nuggets-phoenix-arizona-05-05-2023/event/19005E6EC7A53C09?landing=c

Frank Johnson is a communications major at Benedictine University at Mesa, and he is a frequent book reader. Contact him at frank_johnson@ben.edu.

Redhawks No. 1 seed in conference play

By Trevor Medigovich • Daily Ben staff writer

Posted May 2, 2023

The Redhawks will set out to claim the California Pacific Conference Baseball title, starting Wednesday. Benedictine comes into the tournament as the No. 1 seed in the conference and No. 15 in the nation with a conference record of 21-3 and an overall record of 40-10. 

Benedictine plans to play in game three of the tournament, matched up against the winner of game one, between No. 4 Embry-Riddle and No. 5 Simpson, both of whom the Redhawks have swept in their last three game series. 

However, Simpson comes into the tournament on a nine-game win streak, and Embry-Riddle’s right-handed pitcher, Cole Altherr, has the lowest ERA in the nation at 1.59. 

The Redhawk’s only losses in conference this season have been to No. 3 Antelope Valley, Park Gilbert, and most recently No. 2 Westcliff. BenU plans to take home-field advantage this week and secure the Cal Pac Championship for the first time in school history. 

Watch them play on Wednesday at 3 p.m. at Hohokam Stadium near the corner of Brown Road and Center Street. 

Trevor Medigovich is a communications major at Benedictine University at Mesa. He is also a member of the men’s volleyball team at BenU. Contact him at trevor_medigovich@ben.edu.

Posted April 27, 2023

By Noah Thompson • Daily Ben staff writer

The Phoenix Suns played the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round of the NBA playoffs. The Suns beat the Clippers in five games with a record of 4-1.

In Game 5, Devin Booker had 47 points, eight rebounds, 10 assists and two steals over 42 minutes during Tuesday’s 136-130 win over the Clippers.

The Suns will play the Denver Nuggets in the second round of the playoffs. The first game between the Suns and the Nuggets is April 29 at Ball Arena in Denver. The Suns play back in Phoenix on May 5 at the Footprint Center. Watch the games on Bally Sports Arizona network.

Noah Thompson is a communication arts major. He plays on the baseball team and it’s his second year at BenU. Contact him at @Noah_Thompson@ben.edu.

Game 5: Suns vs. Clippers at Footprint Center

Posted April 25, 2023

By Frank Johnson • Daily Ben staff writer

Tonight the Phoenix Suns will be at home hosting the Los Angles Clippers in an elimination game.

The Clippers are battling significant injures as Paul George (knee) and Kawhi Leonard (knee) are both out for Game 5. Clippers guard Russell Westbrook has been on a tear this series, averaging 25 points, 7 assists and 7 rebounds; the Suns will be looking to limit his touches tonight. 

While the Suns are still battling the injury with backup point guard Cameron Payne (back), they are still finding a way to win games. After Phoenix traded away Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson, the lack of defense and bench presence has been evident. With Payne is listed as probable tonight, the Suns will be looking to get that extra help off the bench. 

The game will be hosted at Footprint Center and televised on TNT. Local cable provider Bally Sports Arizona will also be televising the game. See more at the links below: 

TNT, www.tntdrama.com

Bally Sports Arizona, Ballysports.com 

Frank Johnson is a communications major at Benedictine University at Mesa, and he is a frequent book reader. Contact him at frank_johnson@ben.edu.

Misiewicz recalled from AAA Reno to replace Bumgarner

Photo courtesy of MLB.com.

Posted April 25, 2023

By Tyler Vandewater • Daily Ben staff writer

Anthony Misiewicz was recalled from AAA Reno to replace Madison Bumgarner as a starting pitcher. Bumgarner is now eligible to sign with a team for the league minimum of $720,000.

Veteran pitcher Bumgarner was designated for assignment last week by the Arizona Diamondbacks. The D-Backs pitcher has struggled this year for the NL West leaders so far this season. 

Before the 2020 season, Bumgarner signed a five-year, $85 million dollar deal with the D-Backs. He was projected to be the D-Backs’ ace for years to come. 

In his last start against the St. Louis Cardinals, hitters smacked multiple balls over 100 mph off the bat. This sent his ERA on the year to 10.26. 

Tyler Vandewater is a communications major and plays baseball at Benedictine University Mesa. You can contact him at tyler_vandewater@ben.edu.

CalPac Conference play starts next week

Posted April 25, 2023

By Damaryan Benton • Daily Ben staff writer

The number one seed can be our BenU baseball team in the upcoming three-day tournament. 

The baseball team has achieved a conference record of 18-2 this season, moving their rank to No. 15 in the latest NAIA Coaches’ Top 25 Poll. Benedictine Mesa and Westcliff are the first to secure two of the five postseason berths for the California Pacific Conference Baseball Championship. The championship is fast approaching, with only a week left in the regular season.

The tournament will occur from May 3 to May 5 at Hohokam Stadium in Mesa, Arizona, near Center and A streets. If Benedictine wins just one more game, they will secure their place at the top. For further updates and information, visit the CalPac page at https://www.calpacathletics.com/sports/bsb/2022-23/releases/20230424qnvio5.Or visit the athletics page at https://www.benuredhawks.com/schedule/0/3.php.

Damaryan Benton is a communications major at Benedictine University at Mesa and a member of the Benedictine men’s volleyball team. Contact him at damaryan_benton@ben.edu.

Phoenix Suns look to take Game 3 against the L.A. Clippers

April 20, 2023

By Frank Johnson • Daily Ben staff writer

With an underwhelming performance in Game 1 of the playoffs series, the Phoenix Suns came to play with a sense of urgency in Game 2, which they won 123-109 on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the Suns headed to Los Angeles to get a must-needed win today in a tied series. 

While the Suns are looking to get a win on the road against a tough crowd, Clippers point guard Russell Westbrook has been making it difficult by having an excellent series, despite his early season struggles. Suns coach Monty Willams said, “We have to figure out a way to slow him down” after Game 2.

Expect defensive changes to be made with both teams, as all of the games this series so far have been high scoring.

The Clippers will also be looking for a way to stop Suns shooting guard Devin Booker, as he finished Game 2 with 38 points and 9 assists.

Tipoff begins at 7:30 p.m. on NBA TV.

Frank Johnson is a communications major at Benedictine University at Mesa, and he is a frequent book reader. Contact him at frank_johnson@ben.edu.

BenU men’s volleyball falls just short in championship

Photo courtesy of Benedictine Mesa men’s volleyball Instagram page.

Posted April 18, 2023

By Tyler Vandewater • Daily Ben staff writer

The Benedictine Mesa men’s volleyball team traveled to Des Moines, Iowa, to compete in the 2023 NAIA Men’s Volleyball championships (April 11-15). 

Benedictine found their way to the winner’s bracket after beating Saint Xavier (IL) and Georgetown (KY) in Pool A.  After pool play was over, the Redhawks found themself playing Park (MO) in the semifinals where they defeated them 3 sets to 0. It was then time for Benedictine to face off with cross-conference rival Vanguard (CA) in the 2023 Men’s Volleyball Championships on Saturday night. 

Benedictine and Vanguard (CA) had already played several times in the season. Both of the teams’ first game of the season were against each other where the Redhawks beat the Lions 3-1. The Redhawks jumped out to an early two set lead in Des Moines, but were met with heavy resistance from the Lions. Vanguard (CA) went on a three set run and went on to beat Benedictine 3-2, winning the national championship. 

The Redhawks landed three on the all-tournament team at the tournament: Dapre Rodgers, Daxton Tolman and Landon Fuller. This is Benedictine’s fourth national tournament appearance, and their second 2nd place finish at the tournament. 

Tyler Vandewater is a communications major and plays baseball at Benedictine University Mesa. You can contact him at tyler_vandewater@ben.edu.

Photo by Daily Ben staff member Noah Thompson.

Rally the Valley for Suns in playoffs

Posted April 18, 2023

By Justin Williamson • Daily Ben staff writer

The Suns are playing the Clippers in the first round of the playoffs.

Game 1 the Suns fell short to the Clippers to a nail biter at the end with the score of 115 to 110. Game 2 is today in the Valley as the Suns try to even up the series before they have to go to Los Angeles for Game 3.  

The Suns leading scorers were Kevin Durant with 27 points and 9 rebounds in Game 1 and Devin Booker had 26 points. The Clippers’ leading scorers were Kawhi Leonard with 38 points and Eric Gordan had 19 points. 

The Suns are predicted to roll past the Clippers. The Suns regular season record was 45-37 and the Clippers were 44-38. 

Justin Williamson is a communications major, and he plays baseball at BenU. His hobbies are pretty much anything outdoors, and he loves spending time with his family. Contact him at justin_williamson@ben.edu.

CalPac Conference historic moment

Posted April 18, 2023

By Damaryan Benton • Daily Ben staff writer

The baseball team of Benedictine University Mesa concluded their impressive winning streak on a mixed note. 

The streak spanned 27 games, setting a new record for the California Pacific Conference, which commenced on Feb. 16 versus Mount Mercy University. Despite losing the second game 4-8, the Redhawks claimed victory over the Pioneers in the series 3-2, with Tyler Butterfield and Orlando Lorduy leading the BenU offensive efforts. Butterfield had a batting average of 2-for-4 in the game, scoring one run and hitting one home run. Orlando Lorduy batted 3-for-7, with four runs and one double, while Jack Fitzgerald had a batting average of 3-for-7 with one RBI and two walks. Mikito Barkman, Justin Bates, and Izaak Varela are the three pitchers who consistently perform for the team.

There is still time to support your Redhawks for the remainder of their regular season. A doubleheader against Arizona Christian will be on April 18 at Gene Autry. The single header is on April 21, and the doubleheader is on April 22 against Park University. The last doubleheader is on April 28, and the single is on April 29 against Westcliff University to close the season. The site of these games has not been released. 

For additional information and updates, check out the athletics page at https://www.benuredhawks.com/sport/0/3.php.

Damaryan Benton is a communications major at Benedictine University at Mesa and a member of the Benedictine men’s volleyball team. Contact him at damaryan_benton@ben.edu.

Suns vs. Clippers first round showdown

Photo by Vachon Myers.

Posted April 11, 2023

By Frank Johnson • Daily Ben staff writer

The seedings are officially set: The Phoenix Suns will face off against the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round of the NBA playoffs. 

The Suns will have the home court advantage, meaning that Games 1, 2, 5 and 7 will be played at Footprint Center, if the series lasts 7 games. Clippers small forward Paul George has been battling a knee injury he suffered in March, which will cause him to miss part of the first round. As for the Suns, they will be without backup point guard Cameron Payne for game 1, as he suffers from a back injury. 

This series will have no shortage of superstars, as fans will get the chance to see Kevin Durant face off against Kawhi Leonard. The last time these two faced off in the postseason was in the 2019 NBA Finals when Kevin Durant suffered an Achilles injury. While injuries have played a big role in both Durant and Leonard’s careers over the years, the two are finally healthy and looking to get their teams to the next round. 

Suns coach Monty Williams has had the chance to rest some key players. With another week of practice and rest, the Suns will look to come out strong and fast paced in the home matchup this Sunday. The exact time and TV channel are yet to be determined; more information will be updated as the NBA makes official announcements. 

Frank Johnson is a communications major at Benedictine University at Mesa, and he is a frequent book reader. Contact him at frank_johnson@ben.edu.

BenU Mesa baseball stays hot through March, April

Courtesy of the BenU Mesa men’s baseball Twitter account.

Posted on April 11, 2023

By Anthony Sortino • Daily Ben staff writer

Come check out the BenU Mesa baseball team as their 25-game win streak stays alive!

Tonight is senior night and the last home game of the season. The men’s baseball team is 19^th in the nation, first in the conference and plans on keeping it that way. So far this season, the team leads the Cal Pac in runs scored, hits, triples, runs batted in and strikeouts.

The season is coming to an end with only 15 more games. The next 15 are all very big for the team as the next few opponents are right behind the team in wins and wanting to keep their season alive. The team needs all the support they can tonight, so come by Hohokam stadium at 6 p.m. to watch the team play.  

Hohokam Stadium is located north of Brown Road, at A and Center streets. 

Anthony Sortino is a communications major and plays baseball at BenU Mesa. Contact him at anthony_sortino@ben.edu. 

Suns’ potential playoff matchup against the Nuggets

Logo by Kevin Whitman.

Posted April 6, 2023

By Frank Johnson • Daily Ben staff writer

With the regular season coming to a close, teams are looking to win as many games as they can before the play in tournament.

For two teams, their destiny is already set with the Denver Nuggets clinching the conference, and the Phoenix Suns clinching the fourth seed. Tonight will be the second meeting between the two teams in the last week. As the Suns are listed as fully healthy, the Nuggets have Nikola Jokic (right calf tightness), Jamal Murray (right thumb sprain) and Zeke Nnaji (right knee sprain) all listed as questionable. 

With a potentially long postseason for both teams, health will play a great factor. The Suns have had their fair share of injuries with Chris Paul’s wrist in the 2021 finals, Devin Booker’s lingering quad, and Kevin Durant’s ankle. Suns coach Monty Williams knows he has his work cut out for him in the tough Western Conference, with this next week of making sure players are not only rested but studied up on potential matchups, which will be key for the Suns. 

Frank Johnson is a communications major at Benedictine University at Mesa, and he is a frequent book reader. Contact him at frank_johnson@ben.edu.

MLB Opening Day brings new rules and opinions

Petco Park in San Diego. Photo by Daily Ben staff member Tyler Vandewater.

Posted April 6, 2023

By Tyler Vandewater • Daily Ben staff writer

The 2023 MLB opening day kicked off last week. This new season of baseball has brought a new set of rules for fans, players and managers. These new rules have been met with a lot of backlash on social media, with some people saying, “it’s ruining the game.” Other people, however, are happy with the changes and say the new rule changes will bring a new audience to baseball. The three major rule changes implemented in the 2023 season include: 

1. Pitch clock: Pitchers will have 15 seconds to throw a pitch with the bases empty and 20 seconds with a runner on base. Hitters will need to be in the batter’s box with eight seconds on the pitch clock.

This rule was implemented in hopes of speeding up the game and improving pace of play.

2. Bigger bases: The size of bases will be increased from 15 inches to 18 inches.

This rule was implemented in hopes of reducing injuries and increasing stolen base attempts. 

3. No more shift: At the time of the pitch, two players must be standing on either side of second base and in the infield dirt. 

This rule was implemented in hopes of increasing hits for the offense. 

Tyler Vandewater is a communications major and plays baseball at Benedictine University Mesa. You can contact him at tyler_vandewater@ben.edu.

Redhawks enter pool play as No. 1 seed

Posted April 5, 2023

By Frank Johnson • Daily Ben staff writer

On Tuesday, April 11, the No. 1-ranked Redhawks are headed to Des Moines, Iowa, to make their championship run.

With a 24-3 record (12-0 in conference), and a 20-game win streak, BenU will be a nightmare matchup in pool play for Saint Xavier and Georgetown College.  

The men’s volleyball tournament will include four different pools with 3 teams in each pool. Pool A (BenU, Saint Xavier, Georgetown), Pool B (Vanguard, Grand View, Jamestown), Pool C (The Master’s, Menlo, Indiana Tech) Pool D (Park, Ottawa, Webber). The winner of Pool A will face the winner of Pool D, and the winner of Pool B will face the winner of Pool C.  

The Redhawks have lost to Grand View in the championship the last two years and have a possibility to face off against them for the third year in a row if both teams win their respective matches. 

The NAIA Network will broadcast all matches, excluding the championship match, live at the 2023 NAIA Men’s Volleyball Championship. This video platform allows users access to live video, statistics and social interaction on a number of devices, including mobile. Single-day passes can be purchased for $9.95. For more information, go to the network’s website.

The championship game will be broadcast on ESPN 3.

Frank Johnson is a communications major at Benedictine University at Mesa, and he is a frequent book reader. Contact him at frank_johnson@ben.edu.

Kevin Durant with Devin Booker. Photo by Vachon Myers.

Tough schedule ahead for Suns 

Posted March 30, 2023

By Justin Williamson • Daily Ben staff writer

The Phoenix Suns have 6 games left of the regular season and have to win the next 2 games to clinch the number 4 seed playoff spot. 

Coming off an ankle injury, Kevin Durant made his home debut Wednesday night against the Timberwolves. He had 16 points with 8 rebounds helping the Suns win. 

Five out of the 6 teams they are playing are playoff contending teams, which is going to be a good fight to the finish to earn a spot. The Suns have high hopes as they play 4 out of the 6 games in front of their home crowd.

Footprint Center is in downtown Phoenix and is along the light rail. For tickets you can visit StubHub.

Justin Williamson is a communications major, and he plays baseball at BenU. His hobbies are pretty much anything outdoors, and he loves spending time with his family. Contact him at justin_williamson@ben.edu.

BenU men’s volleyball conference tournament starts this weekend.

Posted on March 28, 2023

By Noah Thompson • Daily Ben staff writer

The Benedictine Redhawk men’s volleyball team is headed to the CalPac conference tournament.

The conference tournament will be held at Bell Bank Park, Ellsworth and Williams Field
roads in Mesa. The match is on March 31 at 2 p.m.

The number one ranked Redhawks are taking on the number four ranked UC Merced. Come out and show your support for the men’s volleyball team.

Noah Thompson is a communication arts major. He plays on the baseball team and it’s his second year at BenU. Contact him at Noah_Thompson@ben.edu.

Benu Mesa Redhawks Nationally Ranked  

By Dapre Rogers • Daily Ben staff writer  

Posted March 23, 2023   

RedHawks sports are killing it recently. Going into the final three weeks of the men’s volleyball season, the DirtyBirdz are ranked number one in NAIA, according to the most recent coaches ranking. They are hoping to hold their rank heading into the conference tournament on Apil 11, which is being held in Arizona this year. Continuing with another spring sport, your RedHawks men’s baseball team is currently holding the 24^th spot in NAIA. Being almost midway through the baseball season, they are peaking at the right time and hoping to continue climbing the ranks within the next few weeks of games. The next match is against Saint Katherines at Gene Autry Park on Friday. Sending good luck to the RedHawks in the restof their season.  

The men’s volleyball team is currently on a 17-game winning streak along with being undefeated in the CalPac conference. Leading the charge is Landon Fuller, who is currently hitting 344% on the season. Running the offense is setter Daxton Toleman, who is nearing 750 assists. Middle blocker Tyler Watts is a force at the net with 72 blocks and is hitting 503%. 

The men’s baseball team is currently on a 14-game winning streak about halfway through the season. Leading the charge on the field for your redhawks is Anthony Sortino, who has an on base percentage of 455 and 8 stolen bases. Helping push the RedHawks to number 24 is Travis Reaves, who is currently hitting 481% along with 23 RBIs on the season. Also having a great start to the season is sophomore Dylan Bangs, with 26 RBIs along with a slug percentage of 768. 

Dapre Rogers is a communications major at Benedictine University at Mesa. He is also a member of the men’s volleyball team. You can contact him at dapre_rogers@ben.ed. 

Serve’s up! Men’s volleyball game Wednesday night

March 7, 2023

Story by Stephanie Arredia • Daily Ben staff member

The men’s volleyball Redhawks team, whose members refer to themselves as the “DirtyBirdz,” will play against the Ottawa University Ducks in the most important home game of the season. The Redhawks are ranked No. 3, and Ottawa is ranked No. 6. 

Come support the men’s volleyball team this Wednesday, March 8, at Chandler-Gilbert Community College at 7 p.m. The theme for this match is “whiteout.” 

Both teams made the Top 4 in the country last season. 

Stephanie Arredia is a senior communications major. She has a guide dog; her name is River. She writes movie reviews for The Daily Ben, along with creating a Spotify playlist for students. Stephanie is very interested in photography and photojournalism. She hopes to take pictures one day for either a newspaper, sports or business. Contact her at stephanie_arredia@ben.edu.

Who is the greatest of all time?

By Dapre Rogers • Daily Ben staff writer 

Posted Feb. 16, 2023  

Professional athletes devote their entire lives to being the best. From an early age, they are pushed to be better than their competitors. This gives athletes the drive to perform, and it shows with titles they are given. For football players, there is the Pro Bowl where the top NFL players of that season are voted in to compete in one match. In the NBA, there is the All-Star game. These players are all great, but the question sports fans ask is who is the greatest? Not just of an era but the Greatest of All Time (GOAT). 

Recently, Tom Brady announced his second retirement from the NFL, stating that this time “is for good.” After 23 seasons, Brady holds over 19 records on his own, along with winning seven championships. And having 35 playoff game wins, this is more than double the amount of the second most, which is held by Joe Montana with 16. Tom Brady has firmly established himself as the greatest football player of all time. This is not always the case with sports; some are still left up for debate.  

On the other hand, LeBron James has made a case for being the greatest basketball player. Although Michael Jordan has six rings, Lebron has just broken the all-time scoring record, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on Feb. 7 at the age of 38, along with four championship rings to his name. With at least two more seasons left in his tank, he might even be able to get closer with Jordan in that category, which will continue to cause drama and controversy. But there is no doubt that these two are in a category alone. 

We would love to hear your take on the Greatest of All Time. Email us at thedailyben@ben.edu. 

Dapre Rogers is a communications major at Benedictine University at Mesa. He is also a member of the men’s volleyball team. You can contact him at dapre_rogers@ben.ed. 

Men’s volleyball season opener

Posted Jan. 26, 2023

By Frank Johnson • Daily Ben staff writer 

Come out this Friday for the Redhawk men’s volleyball season opener against Vanguard University at 2 p.m. This will be an electrifying matchup, as we get to see our first look at the Redhawks since their crushing loss in the national championship last year. It is important that the Redhawks make a statement in this season opener, as Vanguard is coming off a sixth place finish in the national tournament last season. 

Taylor Stallman is looking to have his team locked in as he enters his third season as BenU’s head coach. In order to win, coach Stallman said he wants the Redhawks to control their side of the court and put pressure on Vanguard throughout the game, forcing them to crumble.

The game will be held at Bell Bank Park, located at 1 Legacy Drive, Mesa. Entry will also be free for students who bring their ID.

Frank Johnson is a communications major at Benedictine University at Mesa, and he is a frequent book reader. Contact him at frank_johnson@ben.edu.

Mesa Marathon coming in February  

Posted Jan. 24, 2023 

By Anthony Sortino • Daily Ben staff writer 

Coming soon to the Mesa area is the Mesa Marathon. Runners will receive the race experience of a real marathon. 

 “Race day is all about the runner, from industry-leading shirts and medals to unmatched course support and the best finish experience to be found,” according to the marathon’s website. 

The marathon is free, and the deadline to sign up is Friday, Jan. 27.  

 Race day is Saturday, Feb. 4. On Friday, Feb. 3, the pickup page will be available for runners to get for the race. The race start times are: marathon — 6:30 a.m.; half-marathon — 6:30 a.m.; 10K — 6:30 a.m.; 1K kids’ run — noon.  

The marathon runners will start on North Ellsworth Road, near McDowell Road and the Rio Salado Sportsmans Club. The half-marathon will start on East McDowell Road between Ogden Street and Greenfield Road. The 10K will start on East Eighth Street immediately north of the baseball diamonds. For more information, visit the marathon’s website at https://mesamarathon.com/race-day/. 

Expect traffic delays around the race courses. Closures will begin at 4 a.m. Feb. 4. Motorists are advised to use Loop 202, Loop 101 and U.S. 60. 

Anthony Sortino is a communications major and plays baseball at BenU Mesa. Contact him at anthony_sortino@ben.edu.  

Women’s basketball

Kicking off the season

Posted Nov. 8, 2022

By Ainsley McMahon • Daily Ben staff writer

Basketball season is back! Women’s basketball is coming into the season with a fresh start, a new coach and a new mindset. I interviewed Kanoelani Quintal, a sophomore studying Graphic Design at Benedictine University, who plays point and shooting guard on the team. I asked her how this year is different than last year, and she responded by saying:

“The team itself is closer than ever before and everyone’s competing for each other, and our coach is just amazing — she is so positive and really helps us grow as not only players but as individuals. Don’t get me wrong, she gets on us, but it is always with a purpose, and it always is in a positive way to make us better.”

Kanoelani emphasized how she wants to see a student section at home games to get them hyped against rivals. All of their home games are at Chandler-Gilbert Community College. 

The next home games coming up are:

Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, against Embry Riddle at 5 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 9, 2022, against La Sierra at 5 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, against Antelope Valley at 2 p.m.

Ainsley McMahon is a senior at Benedictine University and plays for the women’s soccer team. In her free time, when not playing soccer or working on schoolwork, she is relaxing with her dog or hanging out with friends. Contact her at ainsley_mcmahon@ben.edu.

Women’s soccer comes to a close

By JohnLuca Moschetto • Daily Ben staff writer

Posted Nov. 4, 2022

On Saturday, Oct. 29, the women’s soccer team faced off against 17^th in the nation Embry-Riddle (AZ). The Redhawks fell to the Eagles 4-0. 

The last game of the season for the Redhawks was also senior night.  The Redhawks had only three seniors this year: forward Baylie Saunders, forward Ainsley McMahon and midfielder Madelyn Medina. With only three players departing the team this year, the Redhawks expect their current roster to return for next season, including some new recruits as well. 

Forward Baylie Saunders finished her career with a total of 10 goals and 8 assists. Ainsley McMahon finished her career with 2 goals, and Madelyn Medina finished her career with 5 goals and 4 assists. 

The Redhawks finished the season with a total of 175 shots on goal throughout 17 games, averaging 10.3 shots per game. 

JohnLuca Moschetto is a senior communications major and plays baseball at Benedictine University Mesa. Contact him at johnluca_moschetto@ben.edu.

Women’s soccer picks up win over Soka

By JohnLuca Moschetto • Daily Ben staff writer

Posted Oct. 27, 2022

On Thursday, Oct. 20, the Benedictine University Mesa women’s soccer team picked up a 2-1 win over Soka University of America, bringing their overall record to 6-3-5 and their conference record to 4-1-4. 

The Redhawks landed the first blow in the 8th minute with a shot from freshman Brylee Rod making it her third goal of the season. Soka answered back in the 18th minute making it a tie game going into halftime. 

In the 68th minute, senior Baylie Saunders kicked a corner that lead to a header from senior defender Maya Shearon to record her first goal of the season and secure the win for the Redhawks. 

The Redhawks’ next game in Arizona is on Thursday, Oct. 27, when they take on the Park Buccaneers at  Bell Bank Park, Mesa, at 5 p.m. 

JohnLuca Moschetto is a senior communications major and plays baseball at Benedictine University Mesa. Contact him at johnluca_moschetto@ben.edu.

NCAA vs. NAIA in Long Beach 

By Dapre Rogers • Daily Ben staff writer  

Posted Oct. 20, 2022   

Kicking off the start of preseason, the number two ranked BenU men’s volleyball team travels to Long Beach to compete in the Long Beach Invitational starting Saturday. They will be playing in three different matches starting with the NCAA national runner-up Long Beach State.

With both these teams being ranked number two nationally in their respective divisions, the viewers will be able to compare the two divisions. Since the BenU Mesa Redhawks compete in the NAIA division, not only will they be tested by this legendary Long Beach program, but they will also be matched up with Vanguard, who is currently ranked sixth in the NAIA and is a West Coast rival, playing BenU three times a year and is always great competition.

For the Redhawks’ final match, they will be facing The Master’s University, who is currently 15^th in the NAIA but have been on the rise, barely missing the national tournament in the 2021-2022 season.

These games will be taking place throughout the day on Oct. 22 in the Long Beach Pyramid. Be sure to tune in and support #DirtyBirdz. The link for the matches will be posted on @Benedictinemvb Instagram. 

Dapre Rogers is a communications major at Benedictine University at Mesa. He is also a member of the men’s volleyball team. You can contact him at dapre_rogers@ben.ed. 

Women’s volleyball

Redhawk women begin volleyball playoffs

By Trevor Medigovich • Daily Ben staff writer

Posted Nov. 17, 2022

After completing the regular season with a record of 24-5 and a conference record of 18-2, the Redhawks will play in the opening round of the NAIA championship this weekend.

The women will travel up to Oregon to play the fourth ranked Corban University, who finished their season with a record of 27-3.

The Redhawks also received some awards while they were participating in the Cal Pac tournament this past weekend.

Senior libero Haley Rivera earned the Defender of the Year award and a spot on the All-Conference First Team by picking up 364 digs and averaging 4.87 digs per set this season.

Head coach Sonia Jones earned the Coach of the Year award for leading her team to the best record in the conference and punching their ticket to the NAIA playoffs since their last appearance in the 2020 season.

Senior outside Brianna Rivera joins her teammate on the All-Conference First Team, with 248 kills and an average of 3.49 kills per set along with 124 digs and 23 blocks.

Senior setter Anabelle Samoza and freshman outside Laylah Daniel earned spots on the All-Conference Second Team with Samoza averaging 6.01 assists per set with 403 assists overall as well as leading the Cal Pac with 49 aces and Daniel pulling in 230 kills with a 3.29 kills per set average.

Sophomore setter/outside/rightside Kylie Bartel earned All-Conference Honorable Mention status by posting a new school record of 7 triple doubles this season averaging 2.57 kills per set and 5.01 assists per set, along with 131 digs this season. 

The Redhawks hope to continue their dominant season and play the Corban Warriors this Saturday to earn a spot at the National Tournament that will be held in Sioux City, Iowa, in early December.

Trevor Medigovich is a communications major at Benedictine University at Mesa. He is also a member of the men’s volleyball team at BenU. Contact him at trevor_medigovich@ben.edu.

5-set thriller at Legacy Sports Complex 

By Dapre Rogers • Daily Ben staff writer 

Posted Oct. 6, 2022  

Last Thursday night, Park University hosted BenU Mesa in a women’s volleyball match. Benedictine and Park have been rivals ever since Park established a program in the 2019 season. Not only is the rivalry huge between the two programs, but they have also never been this close in skill level. This 2022 season has Benedictine ranked number two in the conference putting them one rank ahead of their counterparts, Park, with both having a great season so far. 

The match started with Benedictine imposing their will on the Buccaneers, winning the first set 25-19. Throughout this set, Benedictine was serving and passing very well, controlling the temperature of the match with a comfortable lead within this set and taking it with a 6-point lead. As the second set started, Park came out with a newfound energy and focus that Benedictine did not expect and they would go on to win this set 11-25. With this score line, Park had made a complete 360 turn around and dominated the court. Continuing with set 3, Park was able to dominate this one as well, winning 17-25. This showed that the second set was not a fluke. Going into the fourth set, Park had all of the momentum, but Benedictine fans still were optimistic and trying to rally the girls. Not only this but we needed someone within the team to create a spark.  

This is when our Cal Pac player of the week, Kylie Bartel, decided to flip a switch. Not only showing how terminal of an attacker she is, but this sophomore right side/setter showed how good she was at running the offense. Benedictine went on to win the fourth set by 3 points and win this 5-set thriller 15-11 with a huge celebration after the student section stormed the court in support of their girls’ team. Benedictine will retain the second place ranking, but this rivalry is not over as these two powerhouse teams will take each other on in the BenU last home match of the season. Be sure to pop out on Nov. 5; you will not be disappointed.  

Dapre Rogers is a communications major at Benedictine University at Mesa. He is also a member of the men’s volleyball team. You can contact him at dapre_rogers@ben.ed. 

Redhawks finish strong after weekend of conference play

By Trevor Medigovich • Daily Ben staff writer

Posted Sept. 20, 2022

The Benedictine women’s volleyball team has started off hot this year, going 7-3 in their first 10 games prior to this past weekend where they had a busy weekend of conference play lined up, playing two out of the three games on their schedule (Providence Christian College forfeit due to health reasons). 

The Redhawks (2) began on Thursday where they played the Westcliff University Warriors (1). Benedictine started off hot, crushing Westcliff 25-12 in the first set but ended up falling behind and losing to the Warriors in 5 sets (25-12, 19-25, 21-25, 25-14, 9-15).  Sophomore RS/S, Kylie Bartel finished with 12 kills, 25 assists, and 8 digs.  Senior S, Annabelle Somoza finished with 26 assists, 5 digs, and a team high 5 aces.  Senior L, Haley Rivera finished with a team high 21 digs and 6 assists. 

On Friday, the Redhawks bounced back against the University of Saint Katherine Firebirds (3) in 4 sets (25-18, 25-14, 24-26, 25-18). Senior OH, Brianna Rivera led the attack with 15 kills, 8 digs and 4 blocks. Sophomore RS/S, Kylie Bartel finished with her second triple-double of the season, notching 13 kills, 14 assists, and 10 digs.  Senior MB, Keshara Montgomery held down the middle, recording 5 kills, with a .455 hitting percentage, and 4 blocks. Senior L, Haley Rivera had another big day, picking up a season high 26 digs.

The Benedictine Redhawks were able to overcome a tough loss to Westcliff to defeat the USK Firebirds and improved their record to 9-4, and hope to keep the fire burning going into another three-game conference road trip, playing UC Merced, Simpson University and Pacific Union College. 

Trevor Medigovich is a communications major at Benedictine University at Mesa. He is also a member of the men’s volleyball team at BenU. Contact him at trevor_medigovich@ben.edu.

A five-set nail-biter with a cinematic upset

By Damaryan Benton • Daily Ben staff writer

Posted Sept. 6, 2022

A dust storm attempted to stop the women’s volleyball game Friday night.

The Benedictine University Mesa women’s volleyball team defeated the 10th-ranked University of Providence inside Bell Bank Park on Friday, Sept. 2.

The match went in favor of the Argos until the third set. The Redhawks rallied from a 2-0 deficit to take the win in a reverse sweep of 3-2 (22-25, 22-25, 25-21, 25-11, 15-8).

The top performers of the night were Brianna Rivera, who led the offense with 19 kills, while freshman Laylah Daniel tacked on 17. Kylie Bartel recorded a triple-double with 12 kills, 24 assists, and 10 digs. Annabelle Somoza finished with 31 assists and eight digs.

Kylie reflected on the game, “I was proud of my performance and our ability to fight tonight.”

Due to emergency notifications of a dust storm in the vicinity, the match began with some uncertainty. Brown smoke filled the facility, making the court slick as the athletes competed. However, Bell Bank employees were able to salvage the captivating game.

The Redhawks will next fly to California, where they will begin conference play against the University of Antelope Valley on Sept. 8 and conclude the trip with La Sierra University on Sept. 9.

Damaryan Benton is a communications major at Benedictine University at Mesa, and he’s also a member of the Benedictine men’s volleyball team. Contact him at damaryan_benton@ben.edu.

Women’s soccer

Redhawks lose tough game to Ottawa, 2-0

By JohnLuca Moschetto • Daily Ben staff writer

Posted Sept. 6, 2022

The Benedictine University Mesa women’s soccer team faced off against Ottawa University Surprise on Friday, Sept. 2.

The first half was very back and forth, with BenU Mesa holding their own against a physical Ottawa team. But Ottawa stepped on the gas and scored two goals early in the second half in the 55th minute and the 60th minute of play.  

A highlight for the Redhawks was the appearance of sophomore defender Elena Rivera, making her first career appearance for the Redhawks. Last September, Elena tore her ACL and received surgery a month later.  

Elena said she felt all sorts of emotions being back on the field after almost a full year in recovery.  

“It felt so good to be back on the field and playing again with my team. I worked really hard the last 10 months just to be able to play again. It was an incredible feeling to be back on the field.” 

Elena said one of the toughest parts of her recovery process was not being able to be out there working with her team. She added that the recovery process took a toll on her mentally: “It was tough pushing myself past the physical limitations.” 

Elena played 20 minutes on Friday and hopes to increase her playing time game to game throughout the rest of the season. 

The Redhawks’ next game is on Wednesday Sept. 7, against Hope University in Fullerton, California. 

JohnLuca Moschetto is a senior communications major and plays baseball at Benedictine University Mesa. Contact him at johnluca_moschetto@ben.edu.

BenU Women beat Pacific Union University 3-1

Posted Sept. 20, 2022

Story and photos by Tyler Butterfield • Daily Ben staff member

The Redhawks won 3-1 over Pacific Union University on Sept. 18 at Bell Bank Park in Mesa. Jada Barnett scored the final score of the game to seal the victory. BenU improved to 4-2-1 on the season and 2-0 in Cal Pac play.

Tyler Butterfield is a senior communications major and plays baseball for the school. Contact him at christian_butterfield@ben.edu. 

Redhawks defeat Pioneer Pete’s 5-1

Posted Sept. 20, 2022

Story and photos by Tyler Butterfield • Daily Ben staff member

The men’s soccer handled PUC with a 5-1 win on Sept. 18 at Bell Bank Park in Mesa. Gilberto Rivera catapulted the Redhawk offense with two goals on the day. The Redhawks improved to 2-1-2 overall and are now 2-0 in conference play.

Tyler Butterfield is a senior communications major and plays baseball for the school. Contact him at christian_butterfield@ben.edu. 

Photos of the three legs of the Ironman, courtesy of Ironman.com.

Annual Ironman Arizona 70.3

Posted Oct. 20, 2022

By JohnLuca Moschetto • Daily Ben staff writer

This past weekend, Tempe Town Lake was host to the annual half Ironman. A half marathon totals up to 70.3 miles, as opposed to a full Ironman, which is a total of 140.6.

An Ironman is an extreme triathlon where the participants swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles, and then run a full marathon, 26.2 miles. In the Ironman Arizona 70.3, the participants swim 1.2 miles, bike 56 miles, and run 13.1 miles. 

Despite the inclement weather this past weekend, the race still went on. There were a total of 1,211 participants in the race. 

The winner of the race overall was Emmett Gross, USA native, with an overall time of 3 hours and 33 minutes. He finished only a few seconds ahead of the second place finisher, Giel Meesen, a native of the Netherlands. 

Presale for the 2023 Ironman Arizona 70.3 is now live on the Ironman website. Visit at https://www.ironman.com/im703-arizona?_ga=2.165080183.910885756.1666116194-757058534.1665685128

JohnLuca Moschetto is a senior communications major and plays baseball at Benedictine University Mesa. Contact him at johnluca_moschetto@ben.edu.