Box Score

AUBURNDALE, Fla. - Ripon erased an early three-run deficit in Saturday night's season-opener to Benedictine (Ill.) University, only to see the Eagles recover to earn a 7-6 victory over the Red Hawks.

Benedictine (1-3) didn't waste much time getting on the scoreboard, as they plated three unearned runs in the top of the first. Ripon (0-1) got one of those runs back in the third, which saw Dakotah Kirchenwitz draw a lead off walk and later score on a Mitchell Busch single. Ripon's second run came in the fourth when freshman Sam Waters recorded his first collegiate hit, a double down the left field line, scoring Nate Siudak from first base.

The Red Hawks took their first lead of the game the following inning, scoring on a fielder's choice and a passed ball. That lead would be short-lived, as Benedictine tied the score at four with an RBI single in the top of the sixth. Ripon again took the lead in the seventh, which was led off with a single from Tom Sawyer, who would later score on a Benedictine error.

The Eagles added three runs the following inning, which included a two-run single, giving them the lead one final time. Ripon made things interesting in the bottom of the ninth, scoring on another error and loading the bases with two outs, but the final batter of the game grounded into a fielder's choice to end the contest.

Matt Hecht (0-1) took the loss for the Red Hawks, who saw Patrick Van Daalwyk allow just one earned run in six innings as starter. Sawyer led Ripon at the dish, going 3-for-4 from the lead-off spot, with two runs scored. Waters and Nick Schmitt each added two hits.

The Red Hawks will try to rebound on Sunday when they'll battle Ramapo College in a doubleheader, beginning at 1:30 p.m. ET. Those games are scheduled to take place at Chain of Lakes Park in Winter Haven, Fla.