Behind a four-RBI performance from Alex Stinnett in game one, offense from an unexpected source in game two and a slate of stellar pitching in both games, the Park University Gilbert baseball team picked up two non-conference wins over Arizona Christian by scores of 4-1 and 7-3.
Game 1- Park Gilbert 4, Arizona Christian 1
It is a rarity for a team to win a game when mustering up just two hits; it is even more rare for both of those hits to come from the same player, but that is exactly what happened for the Buccaneers in game one.
Both hits and all four RBI came courtesy of catcher Alex Stinnett. His brother, Aaron Stinnett, led the game off with a walk and scored when Alex hit a two-run homer to right field. In the second inning, Aaron was hit by a pitch and Travis Moore walked to set up a 2-RBI double to right center for Alex.
Two hits is usually not enough to beat a team receiving votes in the NAIA Coaches Top 25 Poll, but the Buccaneers also received an impressive performance on the mound from Joseph Chavira to put them over the top.
Things started off spotty for Chavira when he threw five straight balls to start the game; that forced pitching coach Joel Adamson Sr. to call a timeout. After that, Chavira went six scoreless innings, giving up just five hits and one earned run. He walked just two and struck out three en route to his second win of the season.
To finish off the seven-inning affair, head coach Kelly Stinnett called on lefty Logan White to throw the final frame. White went three up, three down to finish the game and picked up the first save of his career.
Game 2- Park Gilbert 7, Arizona Christian 3
Sometimes, shaking things up just a little bit makes all the difference. In game two, head coach Kelly Stinnett inserted Kevin Whalen into the lineup and the Buccaneers reaped the benefits of it almost immediately.
Whalen crushed a three-run home run to left field- the first one of his career. That capped off a first inning for the Buccaneers that also saw a string of singles from Alex Stinnett, Joey Martinez and Joel Adamson and a walk by Austin Chouinard, which all resulted in five runs.
The skipper shook things up on the mound as well, as Matthew Armendariz got the first start of his career. Armendariz gave up one hit and one run in two innings and kicked off a string of short, but effective relief appearances.
Chase Provencio, Jared Thompson, Francisco Mata, Zachary Fogle and Aaron Gutierrez threw one inning a piece; two runs came across in that stretch with Mata and Gutierrez on the mound. Provencio was deemed the most effective reliever for his three up, three down third inning and was awarded the win.
The wins marked the baseball program's first over Arizona Christian, as they moved to 16-21 on the season.
What's Next: The Buccaneers have one day off before resuming conference play against Saint Katherine with doubleheaders on April 15 and 16. April 16's doubleheader will feature pregame Senior Day festivities.
