The Park University Gilbert baseball team split a double header with the Taylor University Trojans this afternoon at Tempe Diablo Field 1. Taylor won the first game 8-0, with the Buccaneers winning the final game 6-4. With the split, the Bucs open with a 1-2 record on the season, while the Trojans, who came into the season receiving votes in the top 25 poll are 2-1.
Game 1
The Bucs never could get the bats goings as they lost game one 8-0.
"We just never got the key hit when we had runners in scoring position," said Buccaneers Head Coach Kelly Stinnett. "We put more balls in play but have to start finding some holes."
The Bucs only had three hits for the game, none after the third inning, but still managed to have runners on base in six of the nine innings. The Bucs left seven runners on base for the game.
Julian Garcia-Schroeder (1st), DJ Downen (2nd) and Luis Castillo (3rd) and had the hits for Park Gilbert in the contest.
On the mound lefty Luke Richards (0-1) got the start and threw four innings allowing four runs (three earned), walked three and struck out five. Zachary Swanson made his Bucs pitching debut, also throwing four innings, giving up four runs, walking three and striking out three. Jared Thompson threw a scoreless ninth inning, striking out two.
Matt Dutkowski (1-0) went six innings, scattering those three hits and struck out six Bucs to pick up the win. Drake Gongwer threw three scoreless innings to close things out and earn the save.
Game 2
The second game of the double header started just like the first two games, with the Trojans jumping out to an early lead. This time it was a 2-0 advantage off Buccaneers starter Frank Racioppo.
"The first inning woes in all three games hurt us," said Stinnett. "We were able to overcome it in the third game, but we have to work on our pitchers coming in ready to play, throwing strikes, getting outs and our infielder have to be ready as well."
But this time Park Gilbert had an answer in the bottom of the second, plating three runs. It all started with two outs; third baseman Jackson Moltz got it going with a walk, followed by a single by Matthew Armendariz and a walk to leadoff hitter Julian Garcia-Schroeder. This chased Trojans starting pitcher Alec Holcomb. Reliever Sam Shivley came in a proceed to hit catcher Alex Elizondo to plate the Bucs first run of the day. Diego Bejarano then followed with a single to left to plate two more runs and Park Gilbert had its first lead of the series.
"We started swinging it in the third game," said Stinnett. "We took advantage of getting into their bullpen. You try and get that starter out of there as fast as you can, and score runs off the bullpen."
The Bucs tacked on solo runs in the third and fourth innings. In the fourth, designated hitter Austin Chouinard hit his second career home run and his first of the season, a towering, majestic blast to left field to give Park Gilbert a 5-2 lead
It was a lead they would not relinquish. Racioppo (1-0) who mainly pitched in a relief role last year, settled in to throw 5 2/3 innings allowing six hits and four runs total, striking out six as he picked up the win throwing over 100 pitches. Matthew Medina would come on to close the game, tossing the final inning and a third to pick up his first career save.
The Bucs now have some time off before Bethesda University of California comes to town for a two-game set on Monday and Tuesday February 8-9. In this era of games coming and going due to the pandemic, games could be added prior to the Bethesda matchup. Stay tuned to the baseball schedule on the Park Gilbert website for any additions or deletions to schedule.
Injury Note: Luis Castillo injured his knee in game one and did not return or play in the second game. He will be evaluated this week.
