(Lincoln, CA) The Park University Gilbert baseball team split a double header against Simpson University this afternoon, dropping the first game 10-7 and winning the night cap 8-4 at McBean Park. Both the Buccaneers and Red Hawks are 1-1- as they open Cal Pac play. The Bucs are 3-11 overall, Simpson is 7-10.
Game 1 – Simpson 10, Park Gilbert 7
As has been case most of the season, the Buccaneer bats came out hot as the Bucs posted four runs in the top of the first. But has also been the case this season, the pitching staff has struggled to maintain the advantage. Park pitchers gave up seven runs in the first three innings and had surrendered 10 after six.
Diego Bustillos was able to come in an plug the hole in the dike throwing two scoreless innings to give the Bucs as chance as they trailed by four heading into the final third of the game. But the Park Gilbert bats could only muster one run over the final three innings.
Austin Chouinard had two of the Buccaneer eight hits, with a homer, two walks and two RBI. Aaron Cade Maestas also drove in two runs and Aaron Stinnett scored twice.
Starter Joseph Chavira (0-1) took the loss, allowing five runs on six hits in two innings of work.
Game 2 – Park Gilbert 8, Simpson 4
The second half of the double dip saw the Buccaneers record seven hits and take advantage of four Red Hawk errors.
This time is was Simpson who jumped out in front with four runs in the bottom of the second off of Park Gilbert opener Kyle Poapst. But this time is was the Bucs turn to have the comeback win.
First the Buc bullpen trio of Zachary Swanson, Connor Barton and Braeden Levandowski held the Red Hawks scores and only allowed three hits over the final 7 2/3 innings which gave the Buccos a chance to catch up.
A Michael Rodriguez sac fly got the Bucs on the board in the fifth, then the Bucs erupted for four runs in the six on a Chouinard RBI single, a Joaquin Martinez double, a wild pitch and a Cade Maestas sac fly.
In the seventh with two outs, Park Gilbert tacked on three more runs via an RBI knock by Aaron Stinnett, and two Red Hawk errors which allowed two more runs to cross.
The win could have been given to either Swanson or Barton for effective relief, but the win was given to Barton (1-0) his first of the season after missing the last few weeks with an arm injury.
At the plate, Stinnett and Chouinard both had two hits and an RBI. Stinnett scored two more runs.
The rubber game of this three-game set will be played tomorrow at 1 p.m. Arizona time at McBean Park. Shaun Attamanchuk is slated to get the start on the mound for the Bucs.
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Preston English
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