GILBERT, ARIZ. - Simpson's start in conference goes sideways after being swept by Park Gilbert in a four-game series.
Going into the series, Simpson had an overall record of 10-8.
In game one, Simpson had a 3-1 lead going into the 6th inning where Park Gilbert sparked on offense scoring five runs.
Kylee Potes pitched five strong innings, but in the 6th inning, the Buccaneers had two doubles and a home run that would take Potes out of the game. Shortstop
Isabella Munoz and third baseman
Kassandra Soria were both 4-for-4 at the plate for the Red Hawks. Simpson lost 6-3 to the Buccaneers.
In game two, Simpson struggled to put a single run on the board, losing the game 4-0.
Aubrey Zamora had the Red Hawks' only hits of the day going 2-for-3. Park Gilbert's Abril Nerey threw a complete game with four strikeouts and one walk.
The Red Hawks came close to beating the Bucs in game three, taking the lead in the 7th inning but ultimately losing in extra innings. Multiple fielder's choices led to Simpson leading 4-3 in the top of the 7th inning.
Amy LeGrande and
Kassandra Soria hit into the fielder's choices with Soria's being the game-leading scoring
Ashley Miller. The game would go into the bottom of the ninth, where Buccaneers' Sierra Meyers hit a walk-off single to win 5-4.
In the final game, Park Gilbert jumped on the Red Hawks early, scoring five in the first two innings. Simpson scored one run off of an
Isabella Munoz single in the 2nd inning and
Alexis Zamora's solo home run in the 3rd inning. SU lost to the Buccaneers 7-2.
Simpson was scheduled to play Benedictine Mesa at home this past weekend, but the series was postponed due to rain.
Simpson plans to play a four-game series against Embry-Riddle at home this weekend, starting Saturday, March 18th, at 12 p.m.