(Chandler, AZ) The Park University Gilbert softball team (12-10, 5-3) won both games in its final doubleheader against the Benedictine University Mesa Redhawks (11-18, 2-10), Saturday afternoon at Valley Christian High School.
The Buccaneers completed the series sweep over Benedictine Mesa this season, extending their winning streak to five games.
Park-Gilbert’s bats caught fire early into the day, breaking and chasing school records along the way.
With five home runs in game one, the Bucs broke the single-game home run record which was previously three against Embry-Riddle on April 15, 2023. Park is also now one homer shy of tying the single-season home run record (22, 2023), with 14 games remaining in the 2025 season.
After hitting her seventh home run of the 2025 season on Saturday, third baseman Ileana Rivera tied the Buccaneers’ single-season home run record set by Gabby Romero in 2023.
Game 1: Park-Gilbert 9 BENU 4
The Buccaneers’ very first at-bat set the tone for the day, as first baseman and leadoff hitter Noelle Gumm hit her second home run of the season in the bottom of the first.
Park-Gilbert would build their lead up to 8-0 through the second and third innings.
In the bottom of the second, shortstop Mady Lackey recorded a single RBI as pitcher Samara Romero advanced home on the throw from second base. Later in the inning, with two outs and runners on first and second, center fielder Ledezma Romero cleared the bags with her double to put the Bucs up 4-0.
Rivera led off the top of the third for the Bucs and put them up 5-0 with her home run. Right after designated player Alejandra Castro singled to left field, catcher Lina Sanchez hit her third home run of the season. Two at-bats later, second baseman Carolina Olivas followed that up with her first homer of the 2025 season.
The Redhawks got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth, after shortstop Amaya Ruiz was walked with the bases loaded.
In the bottom of the fifth, Lackey put the Bucs up seven runs as she hit her third home run of the year.
BENU cut into that lead in the top of the sixth inning as catcher Shayna McDaniel hit a two-run homer, the last score from either team in this contest.
On the circle for the Bucs in game one, Samara Romero (5-3) threw 99 pitches in 5.1 innings as she recorded two strikeouts. Mana Risati closed the game out with a strikeout on 29 total pitches, only allowing one hit.
Park-Gilbert totaled 16 hits and one error to BENU’s seven hits and no errors.
Game 2: Park-Gilbert 6 BENU 5
The Bucs survived a late rally by the Redhawks in game two to close out the day and the series with a win.
The first inning saw a combined seven runs from both teams, ending with Park-Gilbert in control of a 5-2 lead. Benedictine Mesa scored off a single RBI and an infield error with the bases loaded. Rivera got the Bucs on the board with a single RBI off a fielder’s choice with runners on second and third base. A wild pitch two at-bats later sent Ledezma home. Later in the bottom of the first with bases loaded, pitcher Elisa Garcia was walked. During the next at-bat, Lackey brought a pair of runs in with her double to right center.
In the bottom of the second inning, with a runner on third, Castro singled which brought Ledezma home for another run to make the score 6-2.
BENU began to chip away at the lead in the fifth and sixth innings. Catcher Arriana Chiago brought three runs in toward the end of the game with a single RBI in the top of the fifth and another in the top of the sixth.
Buccaneers starting pitcher Elisa Garcia (4-6) played 5.1 innings and threw 105 pitches. Risati came in relief just like in game one, and in this second contest she recorded the first save out of any Buccaneers pitcher this season. She pitched the final 1.2 innings, throwing 39 pitchers and striking out two batters.
Park-Gilbert recorded five hits and two errors, to Benedictine Mesa’s 10 hits and one error.
Up Next
After four games in two days, the Buccaneers get some rest as they return to the field this Friday, March 28. They hit the road to take on the Westcliff University Warriors (10-12, 1-3) in the final non-conference doubleheader of the season in Irvine, Calif. First pitch is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. MST and game two is slated to begin at 6:00 p.m. MST.
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Garrett Campbell
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