(Mesa, AZ) The Park University Gilbert softball team opened the against the 13th-ranked team in the nation in the College of Idaho. The Bucs fell in both ends of a double header 10-2 and 10-1 this afternoon at Arizona Athletic Grounds.
Game 1 – College of Idaho 10, Park Gilbert 2 (6 innings)
The day got off to a rocky start before the first pitch was ever thrown as only one umpire was at the facility and the teams had to wait on the second official. Game one was delayed over 90 minutes by the time the first pitch was thrown.
Bucs starter Christian Smith held the Yotes at bay for two innings, but they got their bats going in the third, plating four runs. Smith went three-plus innings before being pulled for junior transfer Elisa Garcia. Garcia went the final three innings of the game, allowing six runs (five earned).
Despite the score, the Bucs showed some fight in the fifth, down eight runs, the Bucs scored two runs in to stave off a run rule win for College of Idaho. The Yotes came back in the sixth retaking an eight-run advantage with two runs in the top of the six to finish the run-rule game in six innings.
Four Bucs had hits and Carolina Olivas and Noelle “Nojo” Gumm each had an RBI. Smith takes the loss in the circle.
Game 2 – College of Idaho 10, Park Gilbert 1 (5 innings)
Despite a similar score, the Bucs pitching staff battled its way out of some jams against the potent Yotes bats over the first four innings holding them to just 5 runs. Garcia got the start after closing out the previous game going 2.1 innings, allowing five runs on five hits.
Freshman Nicole Darby threw the final 2.2 innings, allowing five runs, although only one of them was earned as she made her Park debut.
Five different Bucs had hits and Danielle Farinas had the lone RBI.
Up Next
The Bucs get back on the field quickly, hosting Carroll College at Arizona Athletic Grounds on Wednesday, January 31 for a double header at 3 and 5 p.m.
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Preston English
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