CHANDLER, Ariz. --- The Park University Gilbert softball team (9-11, 0-2) lost a pair of games to the Benedictine University Mesa Redhawks (9-9, 2-0), on the road Friday afternoon at Chandler-Gilbert Community College in Chandler, Ariz.
The Buccaneers begin their first Great Southwest Athletic Conference series down two games, after sweeping Benedictine Mesa last season.
BENU walked the Bucs off in Game 1, and secured a 5-2 win over Park-Gilbert in the second game of this doubleheader. The Bucs move to 18-10 all-time against the Redhawks.
Game 1: BENU 8 PARK 7
The Buccaneers took a commanding 4-0 lead to start this thrilling contest.
In the top of the first, Park-Gilbert had the bases loaded through four at-bats. That's when designated player Bri Titus hit her second grand slam and third home run of the season. The Redhawks cut that lead in half in the bottom of the first with an RBI triple.
Park-Gilbert tacked on another two runs in the top of the second, courtesy of a sac fly RBI from right fielder Ari Fjeldsted and left fielder Jada Montoya stealing home. Amaya Ruiz made the score 7-2 in the top of the third with an RBI single to center field.
Benedictine Mesa went on to score six unanswered runs as they logged one in the third, three in the fifth, and the decisive two in the bottom of the seventh. In the final frame, the Redhawks loaded the bases through the first three at-bats. Then Redhawks designated player Alexa Rice hit a walk-off single to center field, driving in two runs for the win.
Montoya went 2-3 at the plate with one run scored. Titus went 1-3 with four RBIs, bringing her season total to 15.
In the circle for the Buccaneers in Game 1 was Yazmine Bernal, who threw for a season-high eight strikeouts. Bernal threw for 115 total pitches in all six innings.
Park-Gilbert logged seven hits and no errors to BENU's eight hits and one error.
Game 2: BENU 5 Park 2
Park-Gilbert opened this contest with a run in the top of the first, as left fielder Dionna Leanio scored off an infielding error.
After three innings of scoreless softball, Ruiz had a sac fly to center field which made the score 2-0 in favor of Park-Gilbert.
Benedictine Mesa went on another late-game scoring run to secure their second win of the evening. In the bottom of the sixth they hit a home run followed by a triple which brought in three runs and an RBI double.
Fjeldsted and Titus both went 2-4 at the plate. Titus logged an RBI back in the top of the first due to reaching first on a fielder's choice.
Grace Jump (2-3) started in the circle for the Bucs, logging three strikeouts against 29 batters on 73 total pitches. Samara Romero came in relief to get the final out in the bottom of the sixth.
Park-Gilbert recorded six hits and two errors, while Benedictine Mesa logged 11 hits and three errors.
Up Next
The Buccaneers and Redhawks will meet again tomorrow, March 7, as they square off in another doubleheader to close out this conference-opening series for both teams. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. MST at Chandler-Gilbert Community College, and Game 2 will commence 25 minutes after the end of Game 1.
