It was a rough road trip for the Park University Gilbert softball team, but they were able to finish it with a win. The Buccaneers split day two's doubleheader with Westcliff with a 4-3 loss in game one and 6-4 victory in game two.
Game 1- Westcliff 4, Park Gilbert 3
Heartbreaking defeats were a staple of this road trip for the Buccaneers. Game one of today's doubleheader was another example of that as the Bucs let another late lead slip away.
This time, it happened in the fifth and sixth innings. Up 3-2 in the fifth, a fielding error allowed the Warriors' leadoff hitter to reach base and eventually score to tie the game. In the sixth, the Warriors were able to string together the right combination of hits, ground outs and a fielder's choice to take the lead.
The Buccaneers' three runs came across one-a-piece in the third, fourth and fifth innings. Destinee Alvarez drove in Nadia Gutierrez with a single for the first one, then Raylissa Garcia hit a leadoff double and scored when Anissa Corrales singled through the left side. Garcia doubled again in the fifth to score Haley Basye for the final run.
Game one of the doubleheader was the third game of the road trip decided by one run; the Buccaneers were on the losing end of each of them.
Game 2- Park Gilbert 6, Westcliff 4
For the first time in their eight game road trip, the Buccaneers were able to flip the script and pick up a win.
The second and third innings were crucial for the Buccaneers as five runs got across. The Buccaneers loaded the bases in the second Raylissa Garcia scored off of a Corrales ground out. Then, Danielle Farinas came home on a wild pitch. In the third inning, Alvarez reached on an error and Garcia singled; Farinas hit a triple to score both of them. She eventually came home herself when Gutierrez drew a bases loaded walk.
Alvarez singled in the sixth inning to bring home Gutierrez; that gave the Buccaneers some wiggle room after the Warriors threatened a comeback with a three-run fifth inning.
In the circle, Payton Priefer picked up her first collegiate win- scattering 12 hits and walking just one over 4.1 innings. Abril Nerey finished things off with 2.2 innings and recorded the first save of the season.
Garcia and Farinas each went 3-4 with two runs, while the latter added two RBI.
What's Next: The Buccaneers return home for their final home series of the season. On April 14 and 15, they play Benedictine Mesa and on April 21 and 22, Antelope Valley comes to town. All eight games will be played at Cactus Yards in Gilbert, Ariz.
