Friday's doubleheader marked the final Park University Gilbert softball team's last home game for seven seniors and the program's last appearance at Cactus Yards. The Buccaneers sent both out in style with a seven-run comeback in game two to pick up their first series win of the season.
Game 1- Antelope Valley, Park Gilbert 7
With a big third inning, the Pioneers temporarily spoiled Senior Day for the Buccaneers. A pair of errors prolonged the inning and allowed the Pioneers to jump out to a 5-0 lead. That led to Gabby Vallee being removed after 2.2 innings and replaced with Aubrey Bartlet.
Bartlet went the rest of the way, scattering three runs between the fifth and sixth innings. Meanwhile, the bats were slowly chipping away at the Pioneers' lead.
The Buccaneers responded to the Pioneers' big third inning with two runs of their own thanks to an RBI double by Anissa Corrales and an RBI single from Megan Campbell. Danielle Farinas ripped a triple down the left field line in the fourth to score Haley Basye.
The fifth inning saw two more runs- one via Danni Garcia's double to right center; she scored when Zofia Corral singled up the middle.
The comeback attempt came to a boiling point in the seventh inning. Down three runs, Raylissa Garcia and Courtney Beckwith both reached base. Then with two outs, Corral and Destinee Alvarez hit a pair of RBI singles to center. Unfortunately, the Buccaneers were unable to take advantage of the runners on first and second and the game ended with a pop-up.
Although she pitched just 2.2 innings, Vallee racked up five strikeouts. Corral went 4-5 with two RBI; she joined Alvarez as the only current Buccaneers to record four or more hits in a game.
Game 2- Park Gilbert 13, Antelope Valley 9
On Senior Day, it was only fitting that the Buccaneers' seven-run comeback was overcome with them leading the charge.
Down 9-5 in the sixth inning, Amber Saiz lit a spark with a single to left field. That was followed by back-to-back RBI hits from Corral and Alvarez. With two outs and the bases loaded, Danni Garcia launched a double to center field to bring home two runs.
Raylissa Garcia reached on an error and Payton Priefer drew a walk to load the bases again. Then, Corral walked and Alvarez singled to get across the inning's final three runs and give the Buccaneers their 13-9 lead.
To make the comeback even more impressive, the Buccaneers trailed by as many as seven runs after a disastrous first two innings. Down 7-0, things looked grim but they responded in the third inning with four runs. Corral scored on a bases-loaded ground out, Courtney Beckwith hit a two-RBI single and eventually scored on a passed ball.
The 13-run outing marked the most runs scored by the Buccaneers all season, but the comeback does not happen without a fantastic relief appearance by Abril Nerey. She threw 5.2 innings, gave up just five hits, one earned run and struck out three en route to an unlikely win, considering she entered the game with her team down seven runs.
Farinas and Alvarez led the way with three hits a piece; the former added two RBI and two runs, while Alvarez had three RBI and one run. With the win, the Buccaneers are now 14-24 overall and 12-16 in conference play.
What's Next: The Buccaneers play their final series of the season next week (April 29 and May 1) in Prescott, Ariz. against the Cal Pac's top team and No. 24-ranked Embry-Riddle (Ariz.).
