(Tucson, AZ) The Park University Gilbert baseball team split a pair of games at the Tucson Invitational Games in Tucson, Ariz., this afternoon dropping the first game to NCAA Division II Southwest Minnesota State 14-4 before defeating Dakota Wesleyan 9-8 in the night cap.
The Bucs go 1-3 in their four games in at the TIG this season. They currently sit at 10-15 on the season.
Game 1 Southwest Minnesota St. 14, Park Gilbert 4
For the second time at the TIG this season the Bucs faced off with a NCAA Division II team. The Bucs came in short on pitching after a long weekend series with the Master’s. Today would be games five and six in three days for the Buccos.
With bodies needing rest and a deep bench, the Bucs lineup featured many of their non-starters in this game with a chance to show what they could do.
The Bucs had seven hits led by multi-hit games from Christian LaPierre and Eric Baratta two Bucs who regularly start. Baratta also had two RBI.
The Bucs threw four pitchers for the game including Enrique Figueroa who was making his collegiate debut on the mound. Figueroa who is now in his fifth season with the Bucs had not seen a mound since his junior year of high school at Mesquite High School in Gilbert, Ariz., and that was only for a scrimmage. Figueroa was the Bucs most effective pitcher on the afternoon throwing 2.1 innings allowing only two hits and no runs.
Game 2 – Park Gilbert 9, Dakota Wesleyan 8
The Buc bats were hot early and then the Bucs had to hold on to secure a 9-8 win over Dakota Wesleyan.
The Bucs jumped on top in the top of the third on a sacrifice fly from Xander Orosco and a two-run double by Spencer Jacobs.
The Bucs tacked on a run in the fourth and two more in the fifth to lead 8-1. Dakota Wesleyan cut the lead to two with a five-run sixth.
Jason Newton drove in the game winning run with a single in the seventh. DWU then cut the lead to one in the eighth to make it 9-8.
Park brought on Kindrick Tipping to close things out in the ninth. He set the Tigers down 1-2-3 in the ninth inning with two strikeouts to secure the victory and pick up his first save.
Ben Staiger (1-2) picked up his first win of the season throwing 5.1 innings, allowing five runs (three earned) and struck out six.
The Bucs now return home for a single game on Thursday against Winona State at 6 pm at Tempe Diablo before heading back into GSAC play at Arizona Christian Friday and Saturday at Greenway High School. Those double headers are slated for 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. each day.
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Preston English
Click on Logo
