(Riverside, CA) The Park University Gilbert softball team improved their conference record to 15-2 after sweeping La Sierra University on day one of their two day series. The Bucs won game one 7-3 and dominated in game two, nailing a 9-4 victory over the Golden Eagles.
Park kicked off their road trip with an errorless performance in game one. La Sierra was able to keep a strong Park offense from scoring in the first, and retaliate with a run of their own following a Danielle Pfennig two base hit.
The gates opened up for Park in the third inning, with a big two run single from pitcher Mariah Martinez that sent Gabby Romero and Ledezma Romero through home plate. Danielle Farnias put the Bucs in a 3-1 lead before heading into the fourth, with help from Natalie Castro’ssacrifice fly.
Martinez got through a quick fourth inning, striking out Dannikah Star and Brianna Mills. She allowed three hits in four innings, with just one run scored, capping a successful pitching performance.
Following an error made by the shortstop in the top of the fifth, Anissa Corrales was able to reach second and was soon waved in following a center field single hit by Farinas. Another Golden Eagles error proved to be detrimental as G. Romero helped the Bucs get into a 5-1 lead.
La Sierra responded with two runs of their own in the bottom of the fifth inning, but the Buccaneers weren’t finished yet. L. Romero bunted her way to first, just before an error made by the shortstop allowed her to steal second. Runs from L. Romero and Corrales secured a 7-3 victory, and 14 conference wins.
During game two, G. Romero stole home and put one run up on the board quickly into the first inning. Alana Van Dorn entered the game and immediately made an impact as she hit her first homerun of the season off of Golden Eagles pitcher Hanna Dobbs.
Three fly outs concluded a scoreless inning for the Buccaneers as they moved to the bottom of the third. La Sierra’s Pfennig dazzled in the inning with a grand slam that boosted the team into a 4-2 lead.
Unfortunately for the Golden Eagles, Park returned the favor during the fourth frame. Carolina Olivas doubled to center field which allowed Raylissa Garcia to move to third. Another error coughed up by the Golden Eagles pushed Garcia to home, putting the Buccaneers within one run of a tie game. Three more runs were completed before La Sierra pitcher, Jasmine Gutierrez was brought in to stop the bleeding.
Farinas got one more run in before both squads headed into the fifth, but the Buccaneers had already done the damage. Christian Smith worked her magic to close out the inning with two ground outs and a swinging strikeout. She pitched a full game, allowing four runs off five hits, along with four strikeouts.
The Buccaneers battled in the top of the fifth after Olivas and L. Romero both grounded out to third and shortstop respectively. G. Romero’s single secured her second RBI and would later go on to score her second run of the day. Farinas had a stellar game, finishing 3-4 with two RBI. A similar statline was Van Dorn’s, with two hits in four at bats and another two RBI.
Park picks back up with a matchup against Hope International University on April 1 at 1 p.m. in Fullerton, Calif.
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Lainie Hallows
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