The Park University Gilbert baseball team dropped a 6-2 decision to 13th-ranked Vanguard University this afternoon at Tempe Diablo Field No. 2 in Tempe, Ariz.

The Bucs outhit the Lions 7-6, but walked seven batters and hit four more which led to all six Lion runs.  Meanwhile the Bucs, had a hard time breaking through on Vanguard sidearm starter Tyler Armenta with only one hit through the first three innings.

Vanguard jumped out to the 3-0 lead on Buccaneer starter Paxton Prentice. Prentice only allowed 2 hits over 3 1/3 innings but he struggled with control walking five and hit two Lion batters which led to three runs.  He was relieved by Frank Racioppo who threw the next 4 2/3 innings.  He kept the Lions in check with the exception of the seventh where he surrendered three runs.

Park Gilbert finally broke through in the fourth, with a run on a Travis Moore single scoring Aaron Stinnett. The Bucs then cut the lead to one with an Austin Chouinard single to score Chris Amador who was courtesy running for catcher Alex Stinnett who singled to lead off the inning.

The Lions bullpen did not allow the Bucs to muster a comeback. Park Gilbert got runners on in the seventh and eighth but could not get any momentum.

Alex Stinnett and Chouinard each had two hits to lead the Bucs. Chouinard and Moore had the lone RBI's for the Buccaneers. Aaron Gutierrez pitched a scoreless ninth.   

The Bucs went 0-3 in the Firestorm Invitational to drop to 1-6 on the season.  The Bucs are still missing pitchers who are expected to be key contributors to the Buccaneers cause and will help take the stress off the whole staff.  The Bucs now have 10 days off before returning to action against Arizona Christian on Tuesday, February 22.