(Mesa, AZ) The Park University Gilbert baseball team used a nine run second inning to take control of the game and beat the University of Saint Katherine 11-5 on Sunday afternoon. With the win, the Bucs swept the series with the Firebirds and sit in a three-way tie atop the California Pacific Conference standings.
The Bucs are 9-7 overall and are tied with Benedictine Mesa who swept Westcliff and Simpson who swept Providence Christian.
Due to injuries to two of its projected starters on the mound, this third game was slated to be a “bullpen” game where the Bucs depth in pitching enables them to play a game utilizing their bullpen.
This is the second game they have used this strategy this season and for the second time the Bucs helped the moundsmen out with a splash performance at the plate.
The Bucs scored nine runs in the second inning to take control of the game and gave breathing room to starting pitcher Zachary Fogle who picked up his second win in as many weeks.
The inning started with Gino Caperon reaching on an error by the USK catcher. Diego Bejaranowas hit by a pitch and Jesh Leckey popped out to second. Then the onslaught ensued. Enrique Figuero walked to load the bases and then the Bucs had four consecutive singles to score four runs and load the bases once more. Brendan Blakeman, the ninth hitter in the inning walked to bring home the fifth run. Caperon now in his second plate appearance of the inning lashed a double to right center to clear the bases and the Bucs led 8-0. This chased Firebirds starting pitcher Tyler Linnel who gave way to Kevin Sanchez. Sanchez was promptly greeted by Bejarano with an RBI double to make the score 9-0 and close out the scoring for the inning.
Sanchez would keep the Buc bats in check for the next three innings only allowing one run and four more hits. Park would add its 11th run in the eight inning on Andrew Allanson’s fourth home run of the season.
The rest of the game was about Fogle and lefty DJ Martin. Fogle went five innings allowing five hits and one unearned run. Martin pitched the last four innings, allowing four runs to pick up his first save.
The nature of the win allowed the head coach Kelly Stinnett to only use two of his relivers for the game and save some arms as the Bucs have a big road trip to Westcliff coming up next weekend.
At the plate, Rozier, Allanson and Nick Miller each had two hits. Caperon had three RBI and Rozier and Gillespie each had two knocked in. Every player in the starting lineup reached bases safely at least once.
Park Gilbert takes its first conference road trip next week to take on Westcliff, who is coming off a three-game sweep at the hands of Benedictine Mesa.
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Preston English
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