MESA, Ariz. --- The Park University Gilbert softball team (25-23, 8-14) split a pair of home games with the Ottawa University Arizona Spirit (28-14, 15-7), Thursday afternoon at Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa, Ariz.
The Buccaneers opened this Thursday doubleheader with a walk-off win in extra innings, followed by an 8-6 loss that saw OUAZ score four runs in the seventh inning.
Game 1: PARK 10 OUAZ 9 (8 inn.)
This thriller of an opening game saw the Buccaneers play their second extra-inning game all season. Game 1 concluded with Bucs shortstop Amaya Ruiz hitting a walk-off single with runners on the corners.
Ruiz also got the first run of this contest with a sac fly to right field in the bottom of the first. Both teams scored a run in the second as OUAZ ripped off three runs in the top of the third.
After starting pitcher Daysy Juarez logged an RBI single in the bottom of the fourth, the Spirit scored three more runs in the top of the fifth to make the score 7-3. Ruiz recorded another sac fly in the bottom of the frame.
 Park-Gilbert tied things up at seven in the bottom of the sixth, highlighted by a single from third baseman Rebekka Nance that drove in two runs.
After a scoreless seventh inning, the eighth began with a two-run homer from OUAZ's Alexis Jimenez. Bucs right fielder Madi Ban responded with her first collegiate career homer, a two-run shot that tied things up at nine. Ruiz then drove in the final run to give Park-Gilbert back-to-back GSAC wins.
Juarez pitched 4.0 innings in the circle, striking out two and giving uo five hits. Grace Jump finished the final four innings, earning her fifth win of the season.
At the plate, Nance went 3-4 with two RBIs. Ruiz went 2-3 with three RBIs.
Both teams logged 11 hits and one error in this contest.
Game 2: OUAZ 8 PARK 6
The Spirit jumped out to a 2-0 lead to start the second game of this Great Southwest Athletic Conference series.
After a scoreless second inning, Ruiz and right fielder Anna Chavez picked up RBI singles in the bottom of the third. Later in that frame with the bases loaded, first baseman Lizzy Aguilar hit a ground rule double to make the score 4-2.
Bucs leadoff hitter Mady Lackey drove in two runs of her own with a single down the left field line. The Spirit than closed this contest out with six unanswered runs in the sixth and seventh innings.
In the circle for the Bucs in Game 2 were Samara Romero and Yaz Bernal (8-9), who made their 17th and 27th appearances this season. Romero started in her twelfth game this year.
Chavez went a perfect 3-3 at the plate with an RBI. Lackey went 2-3 with two RBIs.
Overall, Park-Gilbert totaled 12 hits and no errors to OUAZ's 14 hits and one error.
Up Next
The Buccaneers and Spirit meet again at Arizona Athletic Grounds tomorrow afternoon as these two teams close out the 2026 season. Park-Gilbert will be celebrating its senior day, with first pitch at 11 a.m. MST.
