The Park University Gilbert softball team received two amazing pitching performances but ended up on the short end of two 2-1 defeats to Arizona Christian in Glendale, Ariz., this evening. The Bucs were playing the Firestorm for the second time within a week and these two teams played four amazing games, but ACU ends up winning the season series 3-1.
Game 1 – Arizona Christian 2, Park Gilbert 1 (8 innings)
For the second consecutive game, these two teams went to extra innings to determine a winner and this time it was the Firestorm who came out on top.
ACU took a 1-0 lead in the fourth when a Carolina Olivas error allowed the first run to cross.
It looked as though that run might hold up as Samanth Smith was keeping the Bucs at bay with two hits allowed through six innings.
In the seventh the Bucs were down to their last out when they rattled off three consecutive hits to tie the game. Olivas doubled down the right field line. She advanced to third on a single by Elisa Garcia and scored on an error by the right fielder to tie the game. Bri Jackson then singled to put the go ahead run on second, but Taylor Mount lined out to third to end the rally.
Park Gilbert starting pitcher Abril Nerey (5-10) was masterful herself, scattering six hits for the game and striking out seven, but ended up the hard luck loser in this game.
Extra innings means the international tie-break rule which places a runner at second to start the inning. The Bucs were unable to advance the runner with a bunt in the first at bat but got Mount to third with a sacrifice by Ledezma Romero. A fly out ended the inning and set the stage for ACU.
The Firestorm were able to execute their sacrifice to move their runner to third and then a single brought home the walk off win in a close and hard fought battle between two solid teams.
Game 2 –
Game two saw a battle of the No. 2 pitchers as Nicole Darby and Dayna Herrera showcased their stuff.
Both pitchers surrendered a run in the fourth. The Bucs scored on an RBI single by Alejandra Castro and the Firestorm answered with a homer from Claire Buckley.
Darby finished her day after the fifth, her longest outing of the season, allowing one run on four hits and striking out four. She was replaced in the sixth by Christian Smith who was greeted unceremoniously by Miranda Hipolito who hit a home run to left center to give ACU the lead.
The seventh started positively with Olivas leading things off with a single, but a double play wiped out any good feelings and the game was over after a fly out.
Park only managed three hits in the game against Herrera who picks up the complete game victory. Smith (2-5) takes the loss in relief.
The Bucs now return home for conference play as they take on Benedictine Mesa this Friday, April 5 at Arizona Athletic Grounds at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and then again on Saturday, April 6 at Mesa Community College. Saturday's contest will also start at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
