The Park University Gilbert baseball team swept a double head at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University this afternoon in Prescott, Ariz. The Bucs won game one 8-5 and game two 6-4.
The win in game one snapped an 11-game losing streak for the Buccaneers which was the longest in program history, surpassing an eight-game streak in 2022. The wins today were also the first wins in program history for the Buccaneers at Embry Riddle. The Bucs were 0-8 coming into the games today having lost six in a row in 2022 and 2023, plus the two losses yesterday.
TEAM RECORDS
PARK – 4-16, 2-6
ERAU – 9-16, 2-6
LINE SCORES
GAME 1 GAME 2
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R
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H
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E
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R
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PARK
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8
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10
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5
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PARK
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6
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6
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2
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ERAU
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5
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10
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3
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ERAU
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4
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6
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2
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GAME 1 – Park Gilbert 8, Embry Riddle 5
For the third game in a row, a pitcher's duel broke out in the high altitude of Prescott, Ariz. Park starter Jimmy Wood (W, 1-0) and Embry starter Spencer Lanz each threw six strong innings with Wood allowing two unearned runs and Lanz allowing one unearned run.
The Buc bats broke through in the seventh and eighth innings against Eagle relievers Braden Wilson (L, 0-; 2 runs), Jacob Samsing (1 run) and Brody Gundert (4 runs) to take an 8-2 lead.
Freshman left-hander Zack Garrard threw the last three innings to pick up his first career save, allowing three runs in the bottom of the ninth when the game was well in hand.
At the plate. The 3-4-5 hitters in the Bucs order set the tone. Three-hole hitter Evan Vander Valk went 4-4 with a walk, two RBI and two runs scored. Cleanup hitter Dylan Fisher added two hits with two runs scored and three RBI. Five-hole Eric Rojo added two hits and an RBI.
Game 2 – Park Gilbert 6, Embry Riddle 4
The Buccaneers got off to a good start with four runs in the top of the first off of Embry Riddle starter Kyle Riley (L, 0-1). Buccaneer fans had to feel good about a 4-0 lead with ace KJ Ward on the mound. Ward came into the game with a 2.12 ERA.
Embry Riddle had other ideas as they managed to touch up Ward for four runs as it took him a few hitters to get comfortable on the mound. The first four hitters reached base safely with two singles a walk and a triple to start the inning. Ward would get a ground out which allowed the fourth run to score and then struck out the last two outs of the inning.
Both pitchers would settle down as Ward would throw three scoreless innings and Riley would throw four scoreless. Ward would make way for senior Hayden King (W, 1-0) making his season debut on the bump for the Bucs coming off of an injury. King threw three scoreless innings not allowing a hit and striking out two.
Park would finally get to Riley in the sixth inning. After Riley retired the first two hitters Ty Matz walked and Giovanni Sanchez was hit by a pitch. Eric Rojo would be called on to pinch hit for Aron Rivas. A wild pitch moved both runners up and Rojo would then knock them both in with a single to right for what would be the game winning RBI.
Tommy Pinnow (2), Rojo (2) and Jimmy Wood (1) drove in runs for the Bucs in the game.
UP NEXT
The Buccaneers return home to Arizona Christian next weekend on Friday and Saturday March 13-14.