(Tucson, AZ) The Bucs split their Wednesday doubleheader down at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Ariz., losing to the University of Jamestown 10-5, then beating Ottawa University (Ariz.) 9-7 in seven innings.
The squad kept to form after splitting the weekend series against Simpson University by doing the same in these matchups. Matthew Armendariz got the loss in game one against the Jimmies, while Matthew Medina got the win in game two over the Spirit.
Bucs could’ve been spelt B-U-K-S in game one, with the squad striking out 15 times in the 10-5 loss to Jamestown. Matthew Armendarizgot the start on the bump, but unfortunately took the loss, going 3.2 innings, allowing 10 hits and 7 runs.
Brad Goodwin got the scoring underway for the Bucs with a two-run single, as both teams put up two spots in the first. The Bucs then retook the lead in the second inning, as Tucson native Jason Newton drove in Logan Livingston on an RBI single.
The Jimmies’ bats came to life in the third and fourth, however, knocking Armendariz around for one in the third then four in the fourth. A hit by pitch went along with three hits, forcing head coach Kelly Stinnett‘s hand, bringing on right hander Dylan Jacquez. Jacquez struggled to begin with, giving up hits in back-to-back at bats before getting out of the fourth.
Cole Sneed scored on a balk in the sixth, and an RBI single from Michael Rodriguez cut the Jamestown lead to three. However, the Jimmies stayed in control, adding two in the seventh and one in the eighth to cruise to victory.
Newton, who hasn’t seen much playing time yet this year in a crowded outfield, finished a notable 4-5, making the most of his opportunities with the varsity squad. Sneed reached base three of four times and was solid defensively behind the plate, another Buccaneer taking advantage of the start.
Jacquez and Armendariz were followed by Diego Jordan and Eduardo Crosby, respectively. Jordan got through a clean sixth inning allowing just one hit, while Crosby gave up three runs on four hits over two innings.
Game two was as all over the place as game one was, as the Bucs faced off against the Spirit of Ottawa University. The Buccaneers took the win in this one, though, by a final score of 9-7 in seven innings.
The Bucs quickly got after Ottawa starter Stephen Wade, who lasted a minuscule two-thirds of an inning. Each of the first four batters reached, including a walk and a hit by pitch, as the Buccaneers tallied three runs on two hits in the first. Ottawa answered in the bottom half, however, with two runs of their own.
Atley Jacome got the start, but after giving up a walk and a triple in the second, was replaced by Paxton Prentice. Prentice struggled quickly, however, giving up an RBI single, then a balk and an RBI groundout gave the Spirit a 4-3 lead.
The Bucs offense knew that there were plenty of offensive chances remaining, however. Ottawa tacked one on in the fourth and two in the fifth, but the Bucs had one of their own in the fifth. Down 7-4 entering the sixth, the offense needed to start to pick up the pitching staff; and pick them up they did.
Park turned up the heat with a huge five-run sixth inning. The scoring got started with a bases loaded, two-run double by Connor Hommes, then was followed immediately by an RBI single from Logan Livingston. Trent Williams and Gio Jasso joined in on the fun as well, both with RBI singles as the lead was extended to two.
The Bucs pitching, which has struggled mightily to open the year, saw Matthew Medina take center stage in the sixth and seventh after striking out the last batter in the fifth in relief of Reagan Reynolds. The right-hander struck out five of the nine batters that he faced, allowing just two hits over two and one-third innings.
The Buccaneers baseball team returns to conference action at home this weekend against the Westcliff University Warriors, who currently sit atop the Cal Pac Conference with a 3-0 record. Game time and locations are still TBA, with Game 1 going on Friday, followed by a Saturday doubleheader for Game 2 and 3.
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Lainie Hallows
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