The Park University Gilbert softball team continued conference play today in Redding, Calif. against Simpson. The Buccaneers led early in game one and led late in game two, but ended up dropping both games by scores of 8-5 and 2-1.
Game 1- Simpson 8, Park Gilbert 5
After starting pitcher Abril Nerey was tagged with a run in the first inning, the Buccaneers struck back quickly with two of their own in the second. The Buccaneers were the beneficiaries of two errors that allowed Danielle Farinas to reach and Zofia Corral and Courtney Beckwith to advance. With the bases loaded, Nadia Gutierrez walked to score Corral, followed by Destinee Alvarez's RBI groundout to bring home Beckwith.
That second inning was fruitful for the Buccaneers, but as quickly as it gave, it took away as the Redhawks scored five runs of their own in the bottom half as Nerey was pulled from the game and Jessica Mendoza came in to get the final two outs.
Payton Priefer pitched the rest of the way, going three scoreless before the Redhawks got two more across in the sixth. Priefer's performance gave the Buccaneers a chance to come back, but the Redhawks' lead proved to be insurmountable.
In the sixth, Destinee Alvarez singled and scored via Haley Basye's double. Basye scored on the next play on an E5. Down four runs going into the bottom of the seventh, Farinas hit a leadoff double (her second of the day); she scored off back-to-back groundouts.
Garcia, Basye and Farinas each doubled (Farinas twice) and went 2-4.
Game 2- Simpson 2, Park Gilbert 1
Game two was a pitchers' duel with only a combined nine hits scattered throughout the entire contest and no runs scored until the fifth inning. For the Buccaneers, it was ace Gabby Vallee on the mound who struck out a career-high nine in 6.1 innings.
The Buccaneers broke the scoreless tie when Abril Nerey doubled and eventually scored off of a sacrifice fly from Anissa Corrales.
Vallee continued to deal, but ended up taking a tough-luck loss because her offense was unable to provide her with support. A Redhawks' solo home run in the sixth tied things and set the stage for the Redhawks' walk off double.
As she has on several occasions this season, Tristin Jamar was the only reliable source of offense in an otherwise stagnant offensive performance; she went 2-2 with a double and was the only Buc with a multi-hit game. Alvarez's hit streak (12) and reached base streak (13)- both school records- ended in this game.
What's Next: The Buccaneers will look to split the series with another doubleheader in Redding, Calif. tomorrow at 11 a.m. The good news for the Buccaneers is that they have split all three of their conference series this season, meaning that history suggests two Bucs wins could be in the cards.
