Each of the Park University Gilbert softball team's games against Marymount California on Friday afternoon had a flare for the dramatic, but only one ended with a Buccaneers victory as they split the series with the Mariners.
Game 1- Park Gilbert 4, Marymount California 3
The Buccaneers struck early and took an early 1-0 when Tristin Jamar got things started with a leadoff triple and came home when Destinee Alvarez knocked an RBI single to right field.
Behind an outstanding performance by Aubrey Bartlet, the Buccaneers maintained that slim lead until the sixth inning. In line for the win, the Mariners substituted a series of pinch hitters hoping to breathe some life into their offense. It did the trick as they got one across and scored two more in the seventh.
Now down two runs, head coach Karin Gadberry brought in Gabby Vallee to get the final out. Down to their final three outs, things looked grim for the Buccaneers but they saved the best for last and caught some breaks along the way.
The comeback started with two outs on the board. Megan Campbell pinch hit for single up the middle, followed by a Jamar double that drove in the run. Then, Courtney Beckwith and Alvarez reached via back-to-back errors. Beckwith scored Jamar and tied the game. With runners on the corners, Raylissa Garcia knocked a walk-off single to left field that won the game for the Buccaneers.
Bartlet's line was perhaps the best of her collegiate career (6.2 IP, eight hits, three earned runs, zero walks), but because the Mariners took the lead with her in the circle, the win went to Vallee. Jamar went 2-4, scored two runs and an RBI; she is the third Buccaneer this season to have two or more extra base hits in a game. Garcia also went 2-4 with an RBI and a walk.
Game 2- Marymount California 4, Park Gilbert 3
Game two of the doubleheader was oddly similar to game one. The Buccaneers struck first when Danielle Farinas singled to score Haley Basye. Then, the Mariners tied things up in the sixth inning.
Vallee threw the first two innings and was relieved by Bartlet, who threw the final five. The Mariners' sixth inning run was unearned due to an error and broke up what was a shutout to that point. The defensive mishap turned out to be a precursor to an unfortunate finish for the Buccaneers.
The Buccaneers retook the lead in the bottom of the sixth when Basye hit a single that scored Zofia Corral and Beckwith reached via an error that scored Basye. The Buccaneers needed just three outs to end the contest, but two infield errors prolonged the seventh inning and ultimately allowed the Mariners to score the winning three runs.
Alvarez finished the game 2-2 with a walk, while Basye went 2-4 with two runs and an RBI. Nadia Gutierrez was the third Buccaneer in game two with two or more hits at a perfect 2-2. The Buccaneers are now 6-12 overall and 4-4 in conference play.
What's Next: The Buccaneers play a doubleheader exhibition against Dawson CC at Chandler-Gilbert CC on Monday at noon. They return to conference play on March 24 when they start a four-game home series against Saint Katherine.
