TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Park University Gilbert baseball team lost a hard-fought pitcher's duel to Mount Mercy University 2-1 Sunday afternoon at the Tempe Diablo Baseball Complex.  The Buccaneers left nine runners on base for the game and only managed five hits throughout the contest.   

Bucs starting pitcher Aaron de Groot deserved a better fate.  He threw five strong innings, scattering seven hits, allowing two runs and striking out six Mustang batters.  Frank Racioppo and Jose Zubia each threw two scoreless innings allowing three combined hits and striking out five batters with no walks.

At the plate, freshman outfielder Kelher Murfitt had two of the five Buccaneers hits and drove in their only run.  Senior centerfielder Anton Melendez also reached base twice via base on balls with a run scored and a sacrifice bunt to try to help the Bucs cause.  

Park Gilbert was 1-9 with runners in scoring position for the game with three strikeouts. The only hit was a Murfitt double down the left field line scoring Melendez from third in the fifth.

Up next, the Buccaneers will host Arizona Christian at Tempe Diablo on Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 6 p.m., Then Park Gilbert will play eight games in four days. They start with a four-game set against San Diego Christian on Friday and Saturday Feb. 28-29, before coming back to Arizona to take on Mount Marty, Briar Cliff, Northwestern College and St. Thomas in a Tucson tournament on March 1-2.