GILBERT, Ariz. --- The Park University Gilbert softball team (4-6) split a home doubleheader with the Simpson University Red Hawks (5-5), Monday afternoon at McQueen Park in Gilbert, Ariz.
The Buccaneers opened the day with a dominant 10-1 win that resulted in a six-inning run rule, but fell in Game 2 after leading 5-3 in the top of the seventh. Park-Gilbert now moves to 11-10 all-time against Simpson.
Much like last season when these two teams met, the Buccaneers and Red Hawks split in a battle between father and son head coaches, Simpson's Wayne Stower and Park-Gilbert's TJ Stower. Since TJ was hired as the head softball coach in July 2024, the Bucs hold a 2-2 record against Simpson.
Game 1: Park 10 Simpson 1
After the first two innings went scoreless, Simpson got on the board first with an RBI double in the top of the third. Momentum then swung heavily in Park's direction as the Buccaneers went on to score 10 unanswered runs.
In the bottom of the fourth, Bucs designated player Bri Titus hit her first collegiate career grand slam and second home run of the season. This was also the first grand slam of the season for Park-Gilbert.
Later in the inning, center fielder Diona Leanio brought in a fifth run due to being walked with the bases loaded. On the very next at-bat, after Simpson made a pitching change, catcher Noelle Gumm tripled down the right field line to make the score 8-1.
In the bottom of the sixth, first baseman Anna Chavez hit a single to right field which drove in the final two runs. This ended the game due to Park-Gilbert being up 8+ runs through five or more innings.
Yazmine Bernal (2-3) started in the circle, pitching all six innings. Bernal threw 98 total pitches, striking out four batters and allowing five hits.
Titus and Gumm both went 2-3 at the plate, combining for seven RBIs.
Game 2: Simpson 13 Park 6
Much like in the opening game of this non-conference doubleheader, SU got on the board first with a run in the top of the third.
In the bottom of the fourth Park tacked on two runs, as second baseman Amaya Ruiz got an RBI double and left fielder Jada Montoya hit a sac fly to center field which scored Ruiz.
Simpson's starting pitcher, Grace Chojnacki, hit a two-run home run in the top of the fifth to put the Red Hawks up 3-2.
Bucs center fielder Ari Fjeldsted hit an RBI double in the bottom of the fifth to tie things up at three. Later in the frame, Leanio and Gumm both hit RBI singles to give the Bucs a 5-3 lead going into the final inning.
Park-Gilbert was three outs away from getting back to .500 with a win, but could not seal the win against Simpson's batting order. The Red Hawks scored 10 total runs in the top of the seventh.
The Bucs answered that scoring run with a solo homer in the bottom of the seventh from Anna Chavez, who joined Fjeldsted and Titus as the only Buccaneers with at least two home runs on the year.
Grace Jump (1-2) got the start for Game 2 as she threw for 115 total pitches and seven strikeouts in 6.1 innings. Daysy Juarez closed out this contest facing the final 10 batters.
Leanio went a perfect 3-3 at the plate in game two, scoring a run and driving one in as well.
Up Next
Park-Gilbert and Simpson will meet again as the Bucs travel to Redding, Calif., to compete in the Simpson Round Robin from Feb. 19 to Feb. 22. Park's next game will be on Feb. 19 at 11 a.m. MST, when they face the Corban University Warriors in their season opener.
