The Park University Gilbert baseball team (13-13, 12-5) closed out their truncated 2021 season with a 12-0 loss in a non-conference game against Benedictine-Mesa (27-12, 13-5) at Indian School Park in Scottsdale, Ariz., Sunday afternoon.
Head coach Kelly Stinnett used the final non-conference game of the year to give playing time to some of his hard-working reserve players who have shown dedication to the team all year. Three players, pitchers Cameron Jung and Liam Zupancic and catcher Logan Zupancic saw action for the first time this season.
This game was also the last game for graduating players Andre Avalos and Anton Melendez who both were able to exit the game to a standing ovation from their teammates and respectful applause from the opponents and fans.
The Buccaneers used eight pitchers in the seven=inning contest. Joseph Chavira got the start but was unable to record an out as he gave up three runs after he walked the leadoff hitter before allowing back-to-back doubles and a single before being pulled from the game. Chase Provencio entered to settle things down and thew two innings allowing two unearned runs.
Jung made his debut with a scoreless third, allowing one hit and one walk. Meno Mata followed but was only able to get one out, allowing two runs before giving way to Nic Villarreal. Villarreal allowed one run in his 2/3 innings of work. Liam Ziupancic then made his mound debut holding the Redhawks scoreless. Connor Barton and Tyler Droke completed the day giving up the final three runs combined.
The Bucs only mustered three hits on the day off four Redhawk pitchers with Frank Racioppo, Andrew Zavala and Melendez getting knocks.
The Buccaneers finished the season at .500 with a 13-13 record. The posted a 10-5 record in the Cal Pac Conference which put them in third place. Being in a probationary year in the NAIA, the Bucs are ineligible for post season play. In the first two seasons as a program, the Bucs have played in 56 games (30 in 2020 and 26 in 2021) or the equivalent of one full season. With fingers crossed the Bucs hope to play their first full season in 2022 with an eye towards postseason play in their first year as an eligible program.
