(Fullerton, CA) The Park University Gilbert softball team (22-20, 5-11) dropped a pair of games against the Hope International University Royals (22-14, 9-7), Saturday afternoon at Bastanchury Park.
The Royals complete the four-game sweep of the Buccaneers in this Great Southwest Athletic Conference series. Hope International received votes in the latest NAIA Top-25 poll that came out on April 1.
Park-Gilbert dropped two close games to HIU, losing Game 1 by a score of 5-3 and Game 2 by a score of 3-4.
Game 1: HIU 5 PARK 3
The first two innings were scoreless, as the Bucs got on the board first with a pair of runs in the top of the third. Designated player Bri Titus and first baseman Anna Chavez picked up RBI singles in that frame.
Hope International Responded with three runs in the bottom of the fourth, courtesy of a home run and RBI single.
In the top of the sixth Bucs catcher Noelle Gumm singled through the left side, driving in a run that tied things up at three. In the bottom of the sixth, Hope scored the game-winning runs with an RBI double that made the score 5-3.
Yaz Bernal started Game 1 in the circle, as she pitched 5.0 innings with one strikeout and six hits allowed. Samara Romero (5-3) came in relief for the final inning, facing the final five Hope batters.
At the plate, Gumm went 2-2 with an RBI and a run scored. Titus went 2-4 with one RBI.
Park-Gilbert outhit the Royals 12-8, and recorded one error to Hope’s zero.
Game 2: HIU 4 PARK 3
Hope International struck first in the final game of this GSAC series, taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first with an RBI single. The Bucs tied things up at one as Titus scored off an error by the catcher.
Park-Gilbert took a 2-1 lead off an RBI single from Gumm in the top of the third, and Hope responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame; along with a score in the fourth to put them up two.
The final run of this contest came in the top of the seventh, as Gumm singled up the middle for another RBI.
In the circle to start the second game of this Saturday doubleheader was Daysy Juarez (5-2). Juarez pitched 3.0 innings, throwing one strikeout and allowing five hits. Grace Jump finished the second half of this contest, giving up two hits and no runs.
Gumm had another solid outing at the plate, going 3-4 with two RBIs.
The Buccaneers logged eight hits and one error to the Royals’ seven hits and two errors.
Up Next
Park-Gilbert returns home next week as they host the Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Eagles (23-13, 9-5) this Friday and Saturday, April 17 & 18 at Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa, Ariz. First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 11 a.m. MST, while Game 2 is slated to begin at 1 p.m. MST.
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Garrett Campbell
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