The Park University Gilbert softball team split a pair of games against Antelope Valley this afternoon to complete a two-day trip to Lancaster, Calif., against the Pioneers in non-conference action. The Buccaneers won the first game 8-3 and dropped the second 9-8 in eight innings. The Buccaneers (3-4) finish taking three of four from the Pioneers (4-6).

Game 1 - Park Gilbert 8, Antelope Valley 3

The Buccaneers jumped on top 1-0 in the first as Lala Romero stole home as part of a double steal. The Pioneers answered right back with three in the bottom half of the first frame off of Bucs starter Christian Smith making her first start in the circle as a Buc. They used two home runs, a solo shot to start the inning and a two-run blast to take a lead for the first time all series.

Three runs would be all the Pioneers would get in the game as Bucs ace Abril Nerey entered in relief in the bottom of the first and threw 6 1/3 scoreless innings to pick up her second win on the season.

Park tied the game at 3-3 in the fourth on back-to-back doubles from Gabby Romero and Natalie Castro, then Castro scored on another steal of home. The Bucs would take the lead for good with another pair of runs in the fifth. A Danielle Farinas single got things started. Mariah Martinez followed with a double to score Zoe Corral who was running for Farinas. Then with the bases loaded a fielder's choice plated Raylissa Garcia.

The Bucs would tack on one in the sixth and two more in the seventh to make it an 8-3 final.

Five Bucs had multi-hit games led by Castro with three knocks. Lala Romero led the team with two RBI. The Bucs had four extra base hits and stole seven bases as they continued to apply pressure on the UAV defense.

Game 2 - Antelope Valley 9, Park Gilbert 8 – 8 Innings

Park Gilbert was unable to complete the sweep as they fell 9-8 in the nightcap of the double header in extra innings.

As they had done all series, the Bucs jumped out in front in the first with two runs as Martinez hit the first home run of the season for the Bucs, a two-run shot to score Farinas who had singled with two outs.

After UAV posted a solo run in the second, Park Gilbert erupted for four runs in the top half of the third, the big hit coming off the bat of Gabby Romero who doubled home a run. Park now led by five.

The Pioneers had an answer as the came right back with three runs in the bottom half of the frame taking advantage of the Buccaneer miscues.

With Park leading 7-4, the Pioneers took the lead with two runs in the fifth and sixth inning. But the Bucs would tie things in top of the seventh as Robles doubled to get things started, Farinas moved her over on a ground out and Martinez got her home with a sacrifice fly to knot things at 8-all.

Martinez would set the Pioneers down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the seventh and for the first time this year, the Bucs were headed to extra innings.

The Bucs were not able to push across a run in the top of the eight, stranding Alana Van Dorn who was placed at second base at the start of the inning due to the International Tiebreak Rule at third.

UAV would take the game in the bottom of the inning. The Pioneers would load the bases after with a walk and a single after their player was placed at second to start the inning. Then one more single brought home the winning run and UAV managed to salvage a game in the series.

Martinez (1-2) took the loss for the Bucs, Dakota Edwards picked up the win for the Pioneers.

Robles, Martinez and Gabby Romero each had two hits with Martinez driving in three runs and Robles driving in two.

Park Gilbert now has over a week off before returning to the field next Friday, February 24 at Ottawa (Ariz.) for a double header. Game times are 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.