The Park University Gilbert baseball team, fell behind early against Marymount California and while they made a late push with six runs in the last three innings, it was not enough as they lost to the Mariners 9-7 in game one of a three-game set at Tempe Diablo in Tempe, Ariz.
Bucs starter Frank Racioppo struggles continued as he allowed five runs in 2,2 innings before being lifted. Racioppo was one of the Buccaneers best a year ago going 4-1 as the Friday starter. But so far in his first two outing this season in conference play, Racioppo has allowed 16 runs in 6.2 innings.
Down 6-1 heading into the seventh, the Buccaneers were able to get three across after loading the bases. An Aaron Stinnett fielder's choice brought across the first run of the inning and an errant throw from the MCU second baseman allowed Case Maestas to score. Alex Stinnett then ripped a double to score his brother and the Bucs had cut the lead to two, 6-4.
The key after a big inning is to keep your opponent from answering with runs in their next half inning, Unfortunately, the Bucs relinquished three runs themselves in the top half of the eighth as MCU got an RBI single before executing two safety squeeze bunts to score the other two runs.
Again trailing by five, the Buccaneers attempted to make a furious comeback in the ninth as the first three batters in the inning laced base hits. A single for Maestas, a double for Joel Adamson and an RBI single for Julian Garcia Schroeder. Aaron Stinnett got a run home with a ground out, before his brother roped another single to right field to score Garcia Schroeder, but an around-the-horn 5-4-3 double play ended the game and the Bucs hopes of an amazing comeback.
Racioppo (0-2) takes the loss. Aiden Martin, who threw 122 pitches in seven innings of work picked up the win for MCU.
Four Buccaneers had two hit games, with the Stinnett brothers each driving in two runs. Connor Barton threw 3.1 innings of relief allowing one unearned run. Francisco Mata made his season debut, throwing a scoreless ninth.
The Buccaneers and Mariners will hook up for a double header tomorrow afternoon at Tempe Diablo. Luke Richards and Joseph Chavira are the probables on the mound for head coach Kelly Stinnett.
