(Tucson, AZ) The winning train keeps rolling for the Park University Gilbert softball team as it won its first two games in the Tucson Invitational Games at Lincoln Park. They beat Olivet Nazarene, who was receiving votes in the preseason NAIA poll and Concordia (Neb.) by the same identical score of 6-3 in both contests.
With the wins, the Buccaneers move to 13-4 on the season, have won 10 games in a row and 13 of their last 14 games.
Game 1 – Park Gilbert 6, RV Olivet Nazarene 3
The Bucs jumped on the board early and often in the first posting three runs. Ledezma Romeroled off with a walk, then Christina Robles reached when the throw to first on her sacrifice bunt was dropped. First baseman Danielle Farinas followed with a double down the left field line to score Romero and move Robles to third. Mariah Martinez then grounded out to second to score Robles and after another error by the Tigers Natalie Castro scored Farinas with a sacrifice fly.
The Bucs added another in the second as Ledezma Romero reached on a bunt single and then advanced all the way to third on an errant throw. Robles followed with a single to center to make the score 4-0.
Olivet Nazarene got on the board with single runs in the third and fourth off of Buc started Abril Nerey who struggled with her control. The Tigers scored in the third on an RBI single which plated a runner who reached via a walk.
In the fourth inning, three walks and an error led to another run crossing for the Tigers. A bases loaded walk chased Nerey who was pulled in favor of Martinez who was the designated player. Martinez was able to get out and would go on to throw the final 3 1/3 innings allowing only one run to pick up her fifth win of the season.
The Bucs would complete their scoring with two in the bottom of the fourth a Robles recorded another of her three hits on the game, an infield single. After moving to second on a ground out, Martinez helped her cause with a double down the right field line to score Robles. Then Gabby Romero singled to left to score Zoe Corral who courtesy ran for Martinez.
The Bucs had eight hits for the game and three walks to go along with four errors from the gloves and arms of the Tigers. The Bucs left eight runners on base, going 4-14 with runners in scoring position. But can be happy with its clutch hitting with two outs, hitting .455. They also were opportunistic, going 2-4 with runners on third with less than two outs.
Robles led the way, going 3-3 with two runs scored and an RBI. Ledezma Romero also scored twice and Martinez drove in two runs.
Game 2 – Park Gilbert 6, Concordia 3
Game two started similarly to game one as the Bucs as the visiting team in this game put up three runs in the first. With one out, Robles continued her hot day with an infield single. Then Castro hitting in the three hole ripped a triple to right center field to score Robles. After a Martinez walk to put runners on first and third, Martinez stole second and then Gabby Romerocrushed a double to left center to score two more.
Park Gilbert was not done, plating three more in the second. A hit batsman and a single put a runner in scoring position. Anissa Corrales, getting the start in left field, singled to left center to score the first run in the person of Raylissa Garcia. Corrales advanced on a passed ball then Robles stroked her fifth hit of the day to put runners on the corners. After Robles stole second, Castro came up clutch again pounding a single to right two score two more runs.
That would be all Nerey, who also got the start in this contest would need. She would give up a solo run in the second and two in the third as two walks to start the inning got her in trouble again, but she would settle in and not allow another run the rest of the game. Concordia starter Megan Eurich who came into the game undefeated at 4-0 also settled in and held the Buc bats scoreless over the last five innings.
Nerey upped her record to 7-2 on the season as she records another complete game victory. Those two walks in the third were the only ones she had for the game and she struck out three.
At the plate Corrales, Robles and Castro all had two knocks, with Castro driving in three runs and Gabby Romero plating two.
Park Gilbert concludes play in the Tucson Invitational tomorrow morning as they take on Sienna Heights in the first game at 9 a.m. Arizona time and then play the University of Jamestown at 11:30 a.m.
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Preston English
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