(Phoenix, AZ) The Park University Gilbert softball team (20-16, 5-7) earned a dominant pair of wins over the Nelson University Arizona Warriors (17-21, 1-0), Tuesday afternoon at the Rose Mofford Sports Complex in Phoenix.
The Buccaneers extend their winning streak to ten games following this non-conference doubleheader win. They are now one game shy of tying the program record for longest winning streak of 11 games, set back in March 2023.
In this 10-game winning streak for Park-Gilbert, six games saw the run rule applied before the seventh inning. The Bucs remain in fifth place in the Great Southwest Athletic Conference standings.
Park-Gilbert put together a well-rounded performance in both games, combining for 20 runs scored and two runs allowed. The Bucs won both games by a score of 10-1, and both games saw the run rule applied.
Game 1: Park 10 Nelson 1 (6 inn)
After a scoreless first inning for both teams, the Bucs scored a pair of runs in the second and third innings. An error in the outfield led to two runs being scored in the second inning, and catcher Noelle Gumm hit a two-run homer in the top of the third.
The Warriors added a run to the board in the bottom of the fourth, and Park responded with three runs in the top of the fifth. One run scored off a passed ball, and third baseman Lizzy Aguilar drove in two runs with a single up the middle.
Three more runs were scored in the bottom of the sixth inning, effectively concluding the game at the end of the frame. Center fielder Ari Fjeldsted stole home off an error from the Nelson catcher, left fielder Dionna Leanioscored off a groundout, and a walk-off single from Mady Lackey drove in the 10th and final run.
In the circle to start Game 1 for Park-Gilbert was Samara Romero (4-2) who pitched the first three innings. Romero threw three strikeouts and gave up just one hit and no runs. Yaz Bernal came in to close out the final three innings, throwing three strikeouts.
At the plate, Aguilar went a perfect 3-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Leanio went 3-4 with three runs scored.
The Bucs logged 14 hits and one error to Nelson’s six hits and three errors.
Game 2: Park 10 Nelson 1 (5 inn)
Unlike in Game 1, both teams logged a run in the first inning. Park got the first run on the board, courtesy of an error in the infield.
In the top of the second, Fjeldsted singled up the middle driving another run. She later scored in this frame off an error.
After an Aguilar single through the left side, pinch runner Madi Ban reached home in the top of the third to make the score 4-1. Two more runs scored off an error by Nelson’s third baseman. Then Gumm, the GSAC’s No. 2 leader in runs batted in, drove in a pair of runs with a single to left center.
In the top of the fifth, the Bucs added two more runs. Pitcher Grace jump scored off a groundout from Leanio, and Gumm got another RBI single.
Daysy Juarez (5-1) started in the circle for Game 2, striking out two and allowing just one run in four innings pitched. Jump came in relief for the final inning, facing the final three Nelson batters.
At the plate, Fjeldsted went 3-4 with one RBI and three runs scored.
Park logged nine hits and two errors to Nelson’s five hits and four errors.
Up Next
The Buccaneers return to the field this Friday, when they resume GSAC play and hit the road to face the Hope International University Royals (18-14, 5-7) in a four-game series. First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 12 p.m. MST and Game 2 is slated to begin at 2 p.m. MST.
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Garrett Campbell
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