SURPRISE, Ariz. – Behind another strong pitching performance from Aaron de Groot and solid relief from Diego Bustillos, the Park University Gilbert baseball team (8-4) won game three and the three-game series from the Ottawa University (Ariz.) 9-5 and 2-1 Saturday afternoon at Surprise Stadium.

"It is always feels good to win a series," said head coach Kelly Stinnett. "In baseball, you can have a bad game like we did yesterday, and it doesn't affect the next game unless you allow it.  Aaron and Diego threw great today and that's why we are walking away with a series win."

de Groot was cruising through four and finally ran into some issues in the fifth and sixth innings, allowing the five Spirit runs (four earned). Bustillos threw the last 3 1/3 innings without allowing a hit or a run to pick up his first career win.

Despite their strong performances on the mound, it was still only one run contest going into the ninth inning when the Bucs managed to push three runs across.  With two outs, a two-run single by shortstop Alvaro Barnett, followed by a run scoring knock by Hugo Acosta gave the Bucs the cushion they would need to feel comfortable to close out the win.

Barnett has kept up his torrid pace at the plate with two hits on the day and two RBI's.  He also scored two runs and walked once.  Acosta also picked up a couple of hits and an RBI in three at bats.

With the win, the Bucs improve to 8-4 on the season and now head off for a true road trip as they travel to Costa Mesa, Calif. to take on Vanguard University, Thursday and Friday next week. The Lions just took two of three games from No. 25 Benedictine Mesa and are 7-2 on the season,