WASHINGTON, Pa. - Sunlight filtered across the diamond as the La Roche Redhawks stepped up to open their 2026 campaign. The season's first taste of competition came against a powerful visiting team from Washington & Jefferson College — a club that bats deep and swings with confidence.

In the top of the third, the Redhawks got their bats working. A crisp triple down the right-field line by K. Sell brought home two runs, giving La Roche an early 2-0 lead and igniting the dugout. Head coach and players exchanged energized glances — this was the kind of spark they were hoping for in game one.

But momentum can shift fast. Washington & Jefferson answered in the bottom of that inning, stringing together key hits and walks to start chipping away at the Redhawks' cushion. By the time the 7th inning rolled around, the Presidents' offense caught fire, exploding for runs as they piled up a big lead.

Despite the rally, La Roche didn't go quietly. In the later innings, timely knocks by R. Heyz and A. Exler brought a couple more runs across, giving glimpses of resilience and fight.

When the final out was recorded, the scoreboard read 26–6 in favor of Washington & Jefferson — a tough result for the Redhawks, but one filled with teachable moments as they begin their season journey.