(Irvine, CA) The Park University Gilbert softball team (13-11, 5-3) split a pair of games in its final non-conference doubleheader of the 2025 season, against the Westcliff University Warriors (12-14, 2-4) Friday evening at the OC Great Park in Irvine, Calif.
The Buccaneers’ five-game winning streak may have come to a close, but the team has posted a strong 6-2 record over the past two weeks. They remain in third place in the Great Southwest Athletic Conference, and moved their all-time record against Westcliff to 7-9.
Game 1: Westcliff 7 Park-Gilbert 5
Despite a late rally by the Bucs in the first game of this doubleheader, it wasn’t enough to overcome the 7-2 deficit they were staring down after the fourth inning.
The Warriors jumped to a 2-0 lead after the bottom of the first, and Park-Gilbert responded by tying things up at two after three innings of play. In the top of the second, with runners on the corners, a wild pitch led to catcher Lina Sanchez scoring on the throw. Sanchez brought the Bucs’ second score in, with a double RBI to center field in the top of the third.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Warriors began to open their lead up as they added five runs to the board in the frame. Park-Gilbert chipped away in the top of the fifth, adding a three runs to the 7-5 final score. Second baseman Carolina Olivas singled to right field, and an error on the throw advanced two base runners home. Later in the inning, left fielder Kimora Phillips recorded a double RBI to center field for the game’s final run.
Samara Romero (5-4) got the start for the Bucs in the opening game of this doubleheader. Romero pitched 3.1 innings, striking out two batters on 67 total pitches. Mana Risati came in to relieve in the bottom of the fourth, closing out the game with 37 total pitches.
The Buccaneers totaled nine hits and two errors to the Warriors’ 10 hits and three errors.
Game 2: Park-Gilbert 8 Westcliff 6
The Buccaneers responded in the second game of this doubleheader, securing a high scoring victory courtesy of their 14-hit game.
Tonight marked the first time all season Park-Gilbert recorded six or more runs in the first inning, as the Bucs opened up a massive 6-0 scoring run in the bottom of the first. Designated player Ileana Rivera got the scoring started with a single RBI to right field. Risati, who played at third base in game two, got a base hit which brought Rivera home for the 2-0 lead. Three at-bats later, right fielder Sorcha Walker doubled to left field which drove home a pair of runs. Park-Gilbert reached the top of the order again in this frame, as first baseman and leadoff hitter Noelle Gumm recorded a double and two RBIs.
After a second inning of scoreless softball, Westcliff added a pair of runs in the bottom of the third to make the score 6-2.
Risati recorded another RBI in the top of the fourth with a runner on second base, as an outfielding error led to Sanchez scoring.
Catcher Bri Jackson got Park-Gilbert’s final run of the day on the board, as she got a single RBI to left field which brought pinch runner Mady Lackey home.
Westcliff added one run to the board in the bottom of the sixth, and one in the bottom of the seventh.
On the circle for the Bucs in game two was Elisa Garcia (5-6), struck out three batters on 53 total pitches. After four innings of play Nicole Darby came in to relieve, as she recorded two strikeouts on 52 total pitches. MJ Bannon closed out the final inning of play with one strikeout on 19 total pitches.
Park-Gilbert recorded 14 hits and one error to Westcliff’s 10 hits and two errors.
Up Next
The Buccaneers return to the field and to conference play next Friday, April 4th, as they open a series with the No. 19 ranked Hope International University Royals (22-6, 7-3). This doubleheader and game one will begin at 11:00 a.m. MST, with the second game slated to begin at 1:00 p.m. at Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa, Ariz.
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Garrett Campbell
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