The Park University Gilbert Baseball team showed they can play with one of the best teams in the country in the 13th-ranked Vanguard Lions, but errors put them behind the eight ball in a 13-5 loss this afternoon at Tempe Diablo.
The Buccaneers jumped out to a 4-0 lead on Lions starter Lucas Bixby who came into game with a 1.64 ERA, with two wins against other Cal Pac Conference teams. Today's game saw the 2022 debut of Bucs No. 1 starter Aaron DeGroot who was on a pitch count after not throwing for four months.
DeGroot was dominant in the first two innings, showing why he was a first team All-Cal Pac member a year ago. DeGroot cruised through the first two innings, only allowing one walk. In the third he ran into issues after hitting the first two batters and walking the third in the inning. DeGroot was able to induce a double play which allowed one run to score, but then got a ground out to end the inning as he was able to minimize the damage in what could have been a disastrous inning.
After DeGroot was taken out of the game, it was up to the Bucs bullpen to hold the fort. They were unable to do so. Over the next four innings the Lions scored at least two runs in each inning as they took a 4-1 deficit and turned it into a 13-5 lead and win.
Matthew Medina who was so effective in the Bucs win on Tuesday, struggled, giving up three runs in the fourth and two runs in the fifth before he was pulled after 1 1/3 innings in favor of Joseph Chavira. Chavira stemmed the tide in the fifth, before allowing two runs himself in the sixth. Connor Barton who has been an effective relief pitcher, did not have his best stuff today, as he was rocked for five runs in 2/3 of an inning. Medina took the loss.
Today was a day of debuts and welcome backs for a few Buccaneers. Cade Maestas returned to the lineup for the first time since 2020 and went 1-3 in his return. Logan White not only made his debut at the plate, he also made his debut on the mound, throwing a scoreless ninth. Aaron Lizarraga who has started multiple games at third base, made his first mound appearance and was solid, throwing 1 1/3 scoreless innings in the seventh and eighth.
At the plate, Aaron Stinnett, Alex Stinnett, Austin Chouinard and Joel Adamson each had multiple hits on the day as the Bucs banged out 10 hits.
The Buccaneers get to go right back to it, tomorrow afternoon as they face off with Midland University on day 2 of the Firestorm Invitational at Tempe Diablo. GAame time is 4 p.m.
