(Mesa, Az) Offense was on display again today for the Park University Gilbert baseball team, but it finished on the losing end of another high scoring affair, dropping a 16-12 decision to the University of British Columbia at Bell Bank Park in Mesa, Ariz.
Both teams scored two runs a piece in the first two innings as the wind played a major factor in the fortunes of both teams. After UBC scored two in the top half of the first, a leadoff single by Cade Maestas got the Bucs started in the bottom. Aaron Stinnett then hit a fly ball to left field which Thunderbird left fielder Russel Young thought he had a bead on. The ball continued to carry and went over his head for a double. Both Maestas and Stinnett would score later in the inning on a balk and an errant throw back to the pitcher.
The two teams exchanged two-run homers in the second, before Bucs starting pitcher Matthew Armendariz held the T-Birds scoreless in the third. Park would take the lead in the bottom half on a double by Anthony Marcon to drive home Diego Bejarano. This would knock UBC starting pitcher Seth Corbeth, making his second start against Park this week out of the game.
The teams would exchange runs again in the fourth giving Park a one-run advantage heading into the fifth. But three consecutive hits, capped off by a three-run home run gave UBC a lead they would not relinquish.
The Thunderbirds would tack on one more in the sixth, before seemingly breaking the game open in the seventh. Bucs reliever Atley Jacome allowed the first four runners to reach base and they would all score. He was taken out in favor of southpaw Reagan Reynolds who faced three batters and they all reached as well. By the time the inning was over, the Thunderbirds had added six runs to their advantage.
Trailing by nine, Park Gilbert would respond with five of their own runs in the bottom of the inning. The first five hitters would reach base safely with Dawson Wedeking (1) and Marcon (2) driving in the first three runs. Travis Moore would score when the UBC catcher dropped a thrown ball which would have enabled him to easily tag out Moore at the plate. The fifth run scored when Stinnett grounded into a double play.
Again, the two squads would exchange solo runs in the eight and nine innings to bring the score to its final conclusion of 16-12.
Armendariz (0-1) takes the loss for the Bucs, James Brock (1-0) picks up the win for UBC.
Moore led the Bucs with four knocks in five at bats, Anthony Marcon had three RBI. Six Bucs had multi-hit games.
Park has a couple of days off before returning to the diamond at Ottawa (Ariz.) on Tuesday, February 14 at 5 p.m. at the Kansas City Royals minor league complex field 6 in Surprise, Ariz.
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Preston English
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