(Mesa, AZ) The Park University Gilbert softball team (8-10, 1-3) split its doubleheader against the Simpson University Red Hawks (16-15, 3-3)
This non-conference series, featuring the father and son head coaching duo of Simpson’s Wayne Stower and Park-Gilbert’s TJ Stower, displayed the strong bats of each team as 29 total runs were scored on the day. The Buccaneers now hold a 10-9 all time against the Red Hawks.
Game 1: Simpson 9 Park-Gilbert 5
The opening game of this non-conference doubleheader featured an offensive showcase, with runs on the board early and often.
The first inning saw a combined seven runs from both teams. Simpson jumped to an early 4-0 lead off an error in the outfield leading to an RBI, and a three-run home run from Madyson Welch shortly after.
Bucs designated player Ileana Rivera responded with a two-run homer to cut the Red Hawks’ lead in half. Three at-bats later, second baseman Carolina Olivas doubled. An outfielding error after the play advanced Olivas a base as Ledezma Romero scored.
With runners on the corners, in the bottom of the second inning, Park-Gilbert tied things up at four following a wild pitch as Romero scored again.
Simpson put two more runs on the board in the top of the third inning, scoring on a wild pitch and a fielder’s choice RBI four at-bats later to take a 6-4 lead.
The top of the fourth saw the Red Hawks extend their lead two runs. In the second at-bat, Brianna Lopez-Cortez hit a home run to bring the score to 7-4. In the fourth at-bat of the inning, Welch hit a sacrifice fly to right field, bringing another run in. In the top of the fifth inning, Simpson added its final run on the board with another sacrifice fly.
Rivera, sent another ball flying in the bottom of the fifth with her second homer of the day. She brought her home-run season total to six on Tuesday, one behind the leader in the Great Southwest Athletic Conference (Leah Salas, Embry-Riddle, 7).
On the circle for the Buccaneers was Samara Romero who got the start. She threw 35 pitches in two innings before Elisa Garcia (2-6) came in relief; throwing 57 pitches in three innings. Mana Risati closed out the game’s final two innings with 24 pitches and two strikeouts.
Park-Gilbert had six hits and three errors, to Simpson’s 11 hits and two errors.
Game 2: Park-Gilbert 10 Simpson 6
The Bucs handled business in the second game of this doubleheader, securing the five-run victory over the Red Hawks to close out the day.
Simpson took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, then Park-Gilbert tied things up as center fielder Mady Lackey hit her second home run of the 2025 season. Later in the inning, second baseman Rebekka Nance brought a run in with her single to center field.
In the bottom of the second inning, first baseman Noelle Gumm singled to left field and brought home Park’s third run of the game. Rivera hit a line drive down the left field line resulting in a double and RBI. She reached home plate during the next at-bat, as catcher Bri Jackson recorded an RBI with her single to left field.
The third inning saw each team add a run to the board. Buccaneers shortstop Kayla Seto reached first on a fielder’s choice which tagged Brina Lankford out at second base and brought Nance home, to make it a 6-2 ball game with four innings to play.
The Bucs added three more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. With two outs, Nance had a sacrifice fly RBI. At the next at-bat, with a runner on second, right fielder Monica Chon sent one to the fence for a ground-rule double.
In the top of the sixth inning, Simpson chipped away at Park’s seven run lead with a two-run homer from second baseman Morgynn Wylie. The Bucs’ final run of the day came from a passed ball advancing Lackey to third base, who scored after Jackson grounded out on her at-bat.
Risati got the nod to start in game two, throwing 46 innings and striking out two batters in two innings played. Nicole Darby (2-1), the winner of this contest, came in relief for Risati pitching three innings and recording five strikeouts. MJ Bannon came in to close the final two innings out, throwing 32 pitches and facing Simpson’s final 12 batters.
Both teams recorded 13 hits and one error in game two.
Up Next
The Bucs concluded their non-conference portion of the schedule Tuesday, and they resume GSAC play this week hosting the Benedictine University Mesa Redhawks (11-12, 2-4) this Friday and Saturday. Games will be played at 11 a.m. MST and 1 p.m. MST each day, with the Friday games taking place at McQueen Park in Gilbert Ariz., and the Saturday games at Valley Christian High School in Chandler, Arizona.
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Garrett Campbell
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