(Mesa, AZ) The Park University Gilbert baseball team defeated Simpson University this morning 16-3 at Bell Bank Park in Mesa, for the makeup of a postponed game at Simpson a couple of weeks ago.
The game today was postponed two times before finally being completed this morning. It was originally scheduled to be played in northern California on March 5 but was postponed due to rain. It was rescheduled for yesterday here in Arizona while the Red Hawks were here for games against Benedictine Mesa last weekend and Embry Riddle this weekend. It was postponed again because of a snafu with the umpires. It was finally played in weather similar to what postponed the game originally at Simpson as a steady rain fell throughout the contest.
As this game was originally scheduled at Simpson, the Red Hawks were the home team for this game. The rain did not affect the Buccaneer bats as they posted 12 runs in the first three innings to put the game away early.
Cade Maestas, Jason Newton and Connor Hommes each drove in runs in the first, while Diego Bejarano stole home on a double steal and the final run was scored on a Red Hawk errant throw.
The Bucs added a solo run in the second on Austin Chouinard’s fifth home run of the season.
In the third, Park Gilbert plated six runs on seven hits. The Buccaneers batted around for the second time in the game. Aaron Stinnett and Maestas both had two-run singles in the inning.
This was more than enough for Buccaneer starting pitcher Matthew Armendariz who was making his fourth start of the season. Armendariz threw five innings to pick up his first career win allowing eight hits and three runs (all unearned). He walked three and struck out three.
Matthew Medina and a host of Red Hawk pitchers kept the bats of both teams silent in innings six through eight before the Bucs batted around for the third time in the ninth as they added four more runs to close out the scoring.
Newton led the team going 4-6 with 2 RBI and 2 runs scored. Chouinard went 3-4 with two walks and a homer while four other Bucs had two hits apiece.
The day is not done for the Buccaneers as they hopped in their cars to drive down to Tucson to play Valley State in the Tucson Invitational Games this afternoon, weather permitting. The Bucs will then host Providence Christian this Friday and Saturday at Skyline High School. Friday’s game starts at 1 p.m. while Saturday’s double header begins at 10 a.m.
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Preston English
