(Lancaster, CA) The Park University Gilbert baseball team split a double header with the University of Antelope Valley Pioneers, winning game one 7-5 behind a spectacular outing from Shaun Atamanchuk on the mound. The Bucs lost the second game 9-4 after falling behind 8-0 early and could not recover.
The Pioneers take the series 2-1 and both teams are tied in the California Pacific standings at 7-5.
Good ame 1 – Park Gilbert 7, Antelope Valley 5
Bucs starting pitcher Shaun Atamanchuk was a pitcher on the Antelope Valley staff a year ago. He started game one of the California Pacific Conference Championship for the Pioneers. Today, he was on the mound facing his former team and I am sure they wished he was still on their side after his performance over six-plus innings today.
The junior had a no-hitter for 4 2/3 innings today before allowing a single in the fifth. He threw five scoreless innings as the Bucs built a 6-0 lead. The Pioneers finally broke through with two runs in the six and then after the Bucs added a run in the top of the seventh, the Bucs right hander tired and UAV plated three more in the bottom half and skipper Kelly Stinnett had to go to his bullpen.
The Park Gilbert offense gave Atamanchuk a nice cushion, scoring three runs in the second and third innings. The first three runs in the second were unearned as a bases loaded error scored the first run with two outs and then back-to-back walks scored the next two.
In the third, a Travis Moore RBI single, a Bradley Goodwin sacrifice fly and another Pioneer error allowed the Bucs to build the 6-0 lead as Atamanchuk continued to deal on the mound.
After UAV scored its first two runs in the sixth, Chris Amador, who extended his hitting streak to 10 games, doubled home Livingston who singled ahead of him.
In relief, Diego Jordan and his mid-90’s heater came in and held the Pioneers scoreless the rest of the seventh and in the eight allowing only one hit and striking out two.
The ninth was turned over to Bucs closer Diego Bustillos who made it interesting with a hit and two walks, but managed to get out of a two-out bases loaded jam by getting a fly ball to end the game and pick up his third save in as many chances this season.
Atamanchuk (2-1) picked up his second win in as many weeks.
Amador and Moore each had three hits, catcher Alex Elizondo had a pair of knocks. Amador drove in two runs.
Game 2- Antelope Valley 9, Park Gilbert 4
The start of the game was essentially reversed from game one to game two, as Antelope Valley jumped on their former teammate Kyle Poapst for three runs in the first two innings and the tacked on four more in the third against Zachary Swanson to take a 7-0 lead after three innings.
The Bucs got on the board in the sixth on a Cade Maestas sacrifice fly and then scored three in the ninth which also included Jeremiah Chavira hitting his second home run of the season.
Amador had another multi-hit game to extend his hitting streak to 11 games, while Bejarano had two hits and two RBI.
Matthew Armendariz, Connor Barton and Dylan Jaquez allowed only two runs over the final five innings, walking two and striking out three.
Park Gilbert will return to the field next weekend with a three-game set against La Sierra. The Buccaneers will play a double header starting at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 31 at Bell Bank Park in Mesa, Ariz. The third game of the series will be playing Sunday at a time and location to be announced.
Game Update Notes: The series versus Hope International slated for the weekend of April 7-8 has been cancelled as the Royals need to make up conference games cancelled due to the rains in California. A new opponent is being sought to replace them for the same weekend.
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Preston English
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