Park-Gilbert Takes 3 Out of 4 With BENU
Park-Gilbert might have gotten off to a slower start than hoped for, dropping its season opener, 6-0, to Benedictine-Mesa, but solid hitting performances by the Buccaneers in the next three games provided the spark to take three of the four games played in back-go-back doubleheaders. Park is now 3-1 in Cal Pac games, the only four games so far this season. BENU (1-6 overall), opened Cal Pac play with its first win of the season before being outscored 28-10 over the final three contests.
The Redhawks' initial win of the campaign came by virtue of a six-run 2nd inning, backed by a strong seven-inning outing by Andrea Hoey, who scattered six singles, walked only two, and struck out nine.
Hoey did not need much help, but she got all she would need in BENU's second at bat of the game. With one out, a walk and back-to-back singles loaded the bases for Bailee Lesee, who promptly singled to center to bring home the first two runs. Samantha Lawrence, Marcela Mejia, and Jessica Rodriguez consecutively delivered run-scoring singles, and Dionne Ruiz capped the scoring with a sacrifice fly.
Lesee and Natasha Lawrence each had two hits for the Redhawks.
The Park bats came to life in the second game, plating three runs in the 1st frame, the big blow a run-scoring double by Payton Cushner. But BENU evened the score in the home half of the 2nd with RBI-singles from Lesee and Samantha Lawrence. Sierra Gaskill brought home another Redhawk run in the 3rd with a suicide squeeze, and BENU looked like it was gearing up for a sweep of the doubleheader with two more in the 5th to take a 6-3 lead.
But the Buccaneers got one back in the 6th and came into their final at bat down by two, 6-4. Tayler Gallegos opened the inning by reaching base on a BENU error. Park proceeded to go through the entire order and then some in the resurgent final inning, but it was a double by Cushner that gave the Bucs the lead that they never looked back from. Gallegos, Raylissa Garci, and Shaylah Dominguez each added two hits for Park, and five BENU players finished with two hits: Ruiz, Gaskill, Natasha Lawrence, Samantha Lawrence, and Nycole Medina.
The Buccaneers took the momentum of Friday night's 7th inning comeback win and swept the Redhawks. In game one, Park jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first as the first five Bucs reached base safely. Amber Saiz singled to center followed by bunt singles by Nadia Gutierrez and Destinee Alvarez to load the bases. Raylissa Garcia singled to left to score Saiz, then Courtney Beckwith singled to center to score Gutierrez. After a fielder's choice, first baseman Alleggra Poetter walked to bring in the third run of the inning.
After BENU scored a pair of unearned runs in the bottom of the frame, Park came right back with three more in its next at bat, the big hit being a two-run double by Courtney Beckwith, and the Buccaneers were up 6-2.
That was all that was needed as starting pitcher Jessica Mendoza, who threw four innings of scoreless relief in Friday's opener, tossed a complete game, allowing only three earned runs, striking out four and setting down 12 of the final 13 batters.
The Buccaneers added two more in the 4th on an Alvarez double, and then in the 5th Michele Dinicola lifted a 2-2 fastball over the fence in right center field to make it 9-4. Alvarez went 5-for 5 for the game with two runs scored and four RBI, tying the school record. Saiz went 3-for-5 with four runs scored, which set a new Park record. Dinicola was 2-for-3 with the home run and a double and two runs scored. Park's 16 hits tied a team record.
Gabby Vallee, who struggled in her outing on Friday, stepped back into the circle and delivered a solid performance in the 6-0 win over BENU. The first two Redhawk batters reached on singles, but after that Vallee was in control, allowing only one more runner--on a walk--the remainder of the game. She retired 20 of the final 21 batters.
At the plate, Dinicola got things going for the Bucs in the second with a lead-off home run to left, her second of the day. Park tacked on three more runs in the 3rd on a Garcia RBI-single, a Gallegos walk and a Danae Villarreal sacrifice fly. In the fifth a Villarreal single and a passed ball brought home the final two runs.
UPCOMING GAMES
All contests are current as of Monday, March 15, but all are subject to change due to weather and regional health standards. Please consult the school's website for the most up-to-date information on upcoming games and times
Tuesday, March 16
(RV) Simpson at Bushnell (DH)
Wednesday, March 17
(RV) Simpson at (RV) Corban (DH)
Friday, March 19
SAINT KATHERINE at LA SIERRA (DH)
Saturday, March 20
SAINT KATHERINE at LA SIERRA (DH)