Baseball is back and the Park University Gilbert Buccaneers (0-1) opened their season with a tough 6-2 loss at the hands of the Taylor University Trojans (1-0) this afternoon at Tempe Diablo Field 1.
"It great to be back on the field," said Buccaneers Head Coach Kelly Stinnett. "Especially a beautiful field like Tempe Diablo. They (Taylor) are a good quality team. They have most of their returning starters back from last year who really hit the ball well."
The hitting started in the top of the first as the Trojans jumped on top after a double, walk and triple put the visitors from Indiana up 2-0. A sacrifice fly got the Bucs their first out of the season, but also drove in the Trojans third run off Bucs starter Aaron de Groot (0-1). de Groot settled in and did not allow another run as he went 2 2/3 innings allowing five hits and striking out two. Bucs pitchers were being limited to around 60 pitches and de Groot came out after pitch 61.
Lefty Nic Villareal came on to provide a change of pace from the hard throwing de Groot. Where de Groot sits in the upper 80's, Villareal keeps hitters off balance living in upper 60's in terms of his velocity.
"Nic does a great job keeping hitters off balance," said Stinnett. "He nibbles and hits his spots on the corners, and he kept their hitters in check."
Villareal threw 3 2/3 innings allowing four hits, one earned run and striking out two. His outing kept the Buccaneers withing striking distance, but the bats did not produce in the key moments.
Park Gilbert had seven hits on the day but struck out 19 times. which obliterated the previous record of 14 against Arizona Christian on February.19 of last year.
"We struck out too much today," said Stinnett. "I think we struck out 19 times. That can't happen. We have to find ways to have better at bats and put the ball in play."
Leadoff hitter Julian Garcia Schroeder and second baseman Luis Castillo each had two hits on the afternoon. Castillo's second knock drove in Park Gilbert's first run of the day. Left Fielder Diego Bejarano worked three walks and scored a run, and third baseman Austin Chouinard crushed a double to right field to drive in the only other Bucs runner for the game. The Buccaneers left 11 men on base for the game which could have made the contest a different story if just a couple of those runners managed to score.
But the great thing about a new season is the opportunity to get back at it after a tough loss and as it is, the Buccaneers have two shots at it tomorrow as these same two teams will meet in a double header starting at 11 a.m. at Diablo. Luke Richards gets the start in game one for the Buccaneers.
