(Mesa, AZ) The Park University Gilbert softball team (22-16, 5-7) earned a pair of wins against the Nelson University Arizona Warriors (17-23, 1-0), Wednesday afternoon at Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa, Ariz.
The Buccaneers complete the four-game sweep over the Warriors, as these two teams met in another doubleheader Tuesday afternoon. They now move to 7-1 all-time against Nelson.
Park-Gilbert secured its 12th straight win Wednesday afternoon, marking a new program record for longest winning streak. The streak of 11 games was achieved back in March 2023.
In one of the strongest offensive displays all year, the Bucs hit a combined seven home runs in this Wednesday doubleheader.
Game 1 saw the Bucs score nine runs, in a game that saw the run rule applied through six innings. In Game 2, Park rallied back in the final three innings after staring down a 6-2 deficit.
Game 1: Park 9 Nelson 1 (6 inn)
The Buccaneer bats were strong to start this doubleheader, as Park-Gilbert hit at least one home run in each of the first three innings.
Catcher Noelle Gumm, in the third at-bat of the game, homered to center field for the first score of this contest. Right fielder Mady Lackey also homered to center field, in the bottom of the second inning.
After Nelson hit a home run of their own in the third inning, cutting the lead in half, Bucs center fielder Ari Fjeldsted drove in two runs with her fourth homer of the season.
Gumm tacked on another run with a double to make the score 5-1 in the third. On the very next at-bat, designated player Bri Titus hit a two-run homer to center field. Titus now has seven home runs on the year, marking the fourth most of any player in the Great Southwest Athletic Conference this season.
After a scoreless fourth and fifth inning for both teams, the Bucs got the two runs needed to effectively end the game with a run rule in the sixth inning. After Park-Gilbert loaded the bases, Lackey scored off a wild pitch. Two at-bats later, Gumm hit a sac fly to left field which drove in the winning run.
In the circle to start Game 1 for the Bucs was Samara Romero (5-2). Romero pitched three innings, throwing one strikeout and giving up just two hits. Yaz Bernal came in and pitched the final three innings, throwing one strikeout and giving up a hit.
At the plate, shortstop Kayla Seto batted 2-2 with two runs scored. Gumm went 2-3 with three RBIs and two runs scored.
The Bucs logged nine hits to the Warriors recorded three, as neither team had an error in this contest.
Game 2: Park 11 Nelson 6
After a scoreless first inning, the Warriors loaded the bases and got on the board with four runs in the top of the second.
The Bucs cut into the deficit in the bottom of the third, adding a pair of runs courtesy of Titus and her RBI single.
Nelson added another run to make the score 6-2 in the top of the fifth, and the Bucs responded with a pair of home runs in the bottom of the frame. Gumm drove in two runs with her shot to center field, and Titus homered to left on the very next at-bat to make the score 6-5.
The Buccaneer bats came alive in the bottom of the sixth and swung the momentum in favor of Park-Gilbert. Park went through the entire order, adding six runs and six hits to its respective totals.
Pitcher Grace jump scored from third base, off a groundout from Gumm. Titus then singled to left field, driving in a pair of runs. Two at-bats later, Chavez homered to center field for the seventh home run of the day for Park-Gilbert.
In the circle to start Game 2 was Daysy Juarez. Grace Jump came in relief and closed out the remaining 5.2 innings, striking out three and allowing four hits.
At the plate, Leanio went a perfect 3-3 with three runs scored. Titus went 3-4 with five RBIs and two runs scored.
This high-scoring contest saw the Buccaneers record 13 hits and no errors to the Warriors six hits and one error.
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 is scheduled for 12 p.m. MST and Game 2 is slated to begin at 2 p.m. MST. These games will be played at Bastanchury Park in Fullerton, Calif.
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Garrett Campbell
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