The Eagles (23-2) took a 6-0 lead in the fourth and closed out the Brahmas (19-6) with a seven-run sixth, ending the game on the 10-run mercy rule.
Mendoza (7-1) tallied 11 strikeouts. Chance Marek had a home run and a double, and Cameron Doskocil doubled twice.
“When their pitchers got the ball up, we hit it hard,” Rogers coach Keith Klaus said. “That’s what we had done for the most of the season and it was good to see us doing it again.”
The series resumes at 2 p.m. Saturday. If necessary, Game 3 would immediately follow.
“You have to win two out of the three, but getting up 1-0 is big,” Klaus said.
