(Glendale, AZ) The Park University Gilbert softball team (6-8, 0-2) fell in its opening doubleheader against the Arizona Christian University Firestorm (10-10, 5-1), Thursday evening at the ACU Softball Field in Glendale, Ariz.
The Buccaneers now fall to 2-12 all-time against ACU over the last five years, as they go into the Saturday doubleheader seeking their first win in Glendale since April 5, 2020.
Due to inclement weather, and its impact on the grass fields at McQueen Park in Gilbert, Ariz., this conference-opening series for Park-Gilbert had to be relocated.
Game 1: ACU 15 Park-Gilbert 3
The Bucs struggled to keep pace with the Firestorm bats in game one, as Park managed three runs and five hits to ACU’s 15 runs and 16 hits. The run rule came into effect after the bottom of the fifth inning.
The first inning saw Arizona Christian rattle off a two-run home run, and Park-Gilbert responded with run on the board with a sac fly RBI from catcher Lina Sanchez.
The top of the second saw the Firestorm drive two runs in off three hits, the third saw them tack another run, and by the bottom of the fourth ACU was up 7-1.
The final inning of this shortened contest saw Arizona Christian put eight runs on the board as they closed their offensive day out with a three-run homer, as Park wrapped the game up with an additional two runs in the bottom of the fifth. First baseman Noelle Gumm and third baseman Ileana Rivera both singled to left field and both brought a runner home.
Park’s five hits in the game came from Gumm, Rivera, designated player Alejandra Castro, second baseman Carolina Olivias, and pitcher Nicole Darby.
Elisa Garcia (1-4) got the start and pitched 2.2 innings. Mana Risati came in relief as she pitched 2 innings, and Darby closed out; each recording one strikeout.
The Bucs recorded one error to the Firestorm’s two.
Game 2: ACU 3 Park-Gilbert 2
The second game of this Thursday night conference doubleheader proved to be a pitching duel between Park-Gilbert’s Samara Romero and Arizona Christian’s Hannah Butcher.
The top of the first saw ACU take a 1-0 lead with a single RBI to center field, as there was no change in score in the second, third, and fourth innings.
In the bottom of the fifth Gumm singled to center field, and an error from ACU’s centerfielder sent Kayla SetoSorcha Walker home. Gumm recorded an RBI with her single and the Bucs jumped to a 2-1 lead.
The top of the sixth inning saw the Firestorm take the lead right back at 3-2 with back-to-back RBIs. Right fielder Sierra Lauko tripled to right center and scored on the ensuing at-bat as third baseman and pitcher Dayna Herrera singled to right field.
Romero (3-3) pitched all seven innings for the Buccaneers, throwing a total of 103 pitches and striking out four batters. Butcher (5-4) pitched 5.2 innings for the Firestorm before Herrera came in relief to close the final 1.1 innings out.
Park totaled two runs, eight hits, and no errors in this contest while Arizona Christian posted three runs, eight hits, and one error.
Up Next
The Buccaneers softball team returns to the ACU Softball field in Glendale, Ariz., this Saturday as they close out its series with ACU with another doubleheader. The first pitch is scheduled for 10 a.m. MST and the second game is slated to begin at 12 p.m. MST.
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Garrett Campbell
Click on Logo
