Softball Robert Nilsen

Bilbrey Helps Lead No. 18 Royals to Sweep of Buccaneers

Mesa, AZ - The No. 18 Hope International University softball team (27-7, 10-4 GSAC) swept a doubleheader against the Park University Gilbert Arizona Buccaneers as they opened up a four game series winning 11-2 and 7-5 on Friday on the road at AZ Athletic Grounds in Mesa, AZ.

Game 1:
Kaitlyn Maaske (13-2) picked up her 12th win throwing 3 1/3 innings allowing two runs on six hits while walking two and striking out one. Sarah Reisler led the Royals offense going 3-for-3 with 3 RBIs.

The Royals struck first in the top of the first as Emma McCraw launched her second home run of the year to put the Royals up 1-0. Asia Chacon then doubled and would steal home to make it 2-0. The Buccaneers answered to make it 2-1 in the bottom of the first but the Royals broke open the game in the bottom half. With two on and one out Reisler delivered an RBI single to make it 3-1. Vivian Little then crushed her second home run of the season, a three run bomb to extend the Royals lead to 6-1.

The Buccaneers would get a run back in the bottom of the second to make it 6-2 but the Royals answered in the top of the third. Reisler ripped a two run double down the left line to make it 8-2 and then Little followed with an RBI groundout to give the Royals a 9-2 advantage. The Royals then added two more runs in the top of the fourth as Karlie Bilbrey delivered a two out RBI double to make it 10-2 and would then steal home to make it 11-2.

The Buccaneers tried to answer as they loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the fourth but Grace Craig came in from the bullpen to induce an inning ending double play to prevent any more Buccaneers from scoring. Craig then put the Buccaneers down in order in the bottom of the fifth as the Royals won 11-2 via the run rule.

Game 2:
Alexis Galvan got the start and pitched one inning allowing two runs on four hits while striking out one. Grace Craig (3-0) picked up her third win in relief pitching 3 2/3 innings allowing three runs on eight hits while walking one. Maaske picked up her second save pitching the final 2 1/3 innings allowing just one hit while walking one. Bilbrey led the Royals offense going 2-for-3 with 2 RBIs.

The Royals jumped on top again in the first as McCraw came through with a sac fly to put the Royals up 1-0. This time the Buccaneers would answer to take the lead back in the bottom of the first 2-1. The game then swung back to the Royals as they put runners on first and third before scoring the tying run on a wild pitch to make it 2-2. Bilbrey then ripped an RBI single to left to put the Royals back ahead 3-2. The Royals then added to their lead in the top of the third as Samantha Villaneuva ripped an RBI double to make it 4-2. Later in the inning Bilbrey delivered an RBI single before Makenna Stuart delivered a sac fly to increase the Royals lead to 6-2.

The Buccaneers rallied to make it 6-5 in the bottom of the fifth but Maaske came in from the bullpen to get the final out and limit the damage. Maaske then shut down the Buccaneers over the final two innings while the Royals added an insurance run in the top of the seventh as Gabriella Holmes delivered a clutch two out RBI single as the Royals went on to win 7-5.


The Royals wrap up their four game GSAC series against Park-Gilbert on Saturday, April 5 with a doubleheader beginning at 11:00 AM in Mesa, AZ.