After being run-ruled last week in their season opener against Ottawa (Ariz.), the Park University Gilbert softball hoped to get some revenge against the Spirit on their home turf. The bats certainly heated up a bit, but it was not enough to get a win, as they dropped both games of Friday's doubleheader, 10-4 and 10-7.
Game One
In her collegiate debut, Brianna Garcilazo gave up five runs in the first inning. It looked like things were going to get lopsided again, but the Buccaneers' bats caught fire and got them right back into the game.
Destinee Alvarez, Haley Basye, Brianna Munger and Zofia Corral all knocked in RBI singles to bring home a total of four runs in the bottom of half of the first inning. Down Now trailing just one run, the Buccaneers had put themselves right back within striking distance.
But Garcilazo surrendered another four runs before being pulled out with one out remaining in the second inning. She was relieved by Abril Nerey, who went the rest of the way and stopped the bleeding. Nerey gave up just one run and four hits and struck out three in 5.1 innings, but closing a five-run deficit for the second time in one game was too tall of a task for the Bucs to overcome.
Basye and Corral were the only two Buccaneers to have a multi-hit game one (2-3).
Game Two
Game two marked the only time in their four matchups with the Spirit this season that the Buccaneers had things tied late in the game.
The Bucs' ace Gabby Vallee got the start and gave up three runs before head coach Karin Gadberry pulled her in the second inning, with two runners and one out in favor of Jessica Mendoza. She gave up one run before getting out of the inning.
Down four runs in the bottom of the third, catcher Raylissa Garcia drilled a three-run home run to left field; it was the first homer of Garcia's career. Her shot, plus an RBI single by Alvarez, knotted things up at four.
The Bucs fought back from a deficit again when Corral was walked with the bases loaded. With Corral's walk, the Bucs had the bases loaded with one out and were in prime position to blow the game open. Unfortunately, they could not capitalize and the inning ended with a fielder's choice and fly out.
The Spirit finally ran away with it with a five-run sixth inning. The Bucs got two across in the sixth inning as well, but it was not enough to overcome a deficit for the third time.
What's Next
The Buccaneers have a quick turnaround, as they are scheduled to play Carroll College in a doubleheader tomorrow at 12 p.m. That game will take place at Chandler-Gilbert Community College's softball fields in Chandler, Ariz.
