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Hope International University

SB GSAC
8
Winner Park-Gilbert (AZ) PARK-GIL 17-19
5
Hope International HOPE INT 35-11
Winner
Park-Gilbert (AZ) PARK-GIL
17-19
8
Final
5
Hope International HOPE INT
35-11
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Park-Gilbert (AZ) PARK-GIL 2 0 2 0 3 1 0 8 12 2
Hope International HOPE INT 0 0 3 0 0 0 2 5 11 2

W: S. Romero (9-8) L: K. Maaske (16-5) S: E. Garcia (1)

13
Winner Arizona Christian (AZ) ARIZONA 23-24
11
Hope International HOPE INT 35-12
Winner
Arizona Christian (AZ) ARIZONA
23-24
13
Final
11
Hope International HOPE INT
35-12
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Arizona Christian (AZ) ARIZONA 0 0 3 3 0 1 6 13 17 2
Hope International HOPE INT 4 0 0 0 1 3 3 11 12 3

W: D. Herrera (15-14) L: A. Galvan (9-7)

Game Recap: Softball | | Robert Nilsen

Royals Eliminated on Day One of GSAC Championships

Prescott, AZ - The No. 18 Hope International University softball team (35-13) fell out of the GSAC Championships on the first day as they fell 8-5 to the Park Gilbert University Buccaneers and then 13-11 to the Arizona Christian University Firestorm on Tuesday in Prescott, AZ.

Game 1:
Kaitlyn Maaske (16-5) got the start and took the loss pitching 2 1/3 innings allowing four runs, two earned while walking two and striking one. Samantha Villanueva led the Royals offense going 1-for-4 with 2 RBIs.

The Buccaneers took advantage of an error to jump on top 2-0 in the top of the first. The Royals looked for a response but it was the Buccaneers who doubled their lead in the top of the third as they went up 4-0. The Royals were finally able to generate offense in the bottom of the third as they loaded the bases with nobody out. Vivian Little then delivered a fielder's choice to make it 4-1. Emma McCraw then ripped an RBI single up the middle to make it 4-2 before a fielder's choice by Asia Chacon brought them within 4-3.

The Buccaneers would answer with a three run home run in the top of the fourth to extend their lead to 7-3 and would then add another in the top of the sixth to extend their lead to 8-3. The Royals didn't give up as they rallied in the bottom of the seventh. With the bases loaded and nobody out Samantha Villanueva ripped a two run double to left field to bring the Royals within 8-5 but that's all they were able to get as they fell into the loser's bracket.

Game 2: 
Maaske got the start again and pitched 3 innings allowing three runs, two earned on six hits while walking one and striking out one. Alexis Galvan (9-7) took the loss in relief pitching 2 innings allowing six runs on eight hits while walking two. Alyssa Castaneda led the Royals offense going 2-for-5 with 4 RBIs and a home run.

Looking to stay alive the Royals jumped on top in the bottom of the first. Little ripped an RBI double to right center to put the Royals ahead 1-0. Later in the inning Castaneda crushed her third home run of the season, a three run bomb to centerfield to put the Royals ahead 4-0. The Firestorm would answer with three runs in the top of the third to pull within 4-3. The Firestorm would then take a 6-4 lead in the top of the fourth.

The Royals fought back as Castaneda ripped a two out RBI single up the middle to make it 6-5 in the bottom of the fifth. The Firestorm would then get a run back in the top of the sixth as they extended their lead to 7-5. The Royals rallied again in the bottom of the sixth as Sarah Reisler unloaded a two out RBI triple to make it 7-6. Asia Chacon then delivered a clutch two run single to put the Royals back ahead 8-7.

The Royals looked to close out the game in the top of the seventh but the Firestorm had other ideas as they struck for six runs to take a 13-8 lead. The Royals didn't give up as Villanueva led off the inning with a triple and would then score on a groundout by Natalie Corrales to make it 13-9. The Royals would then load the bases for Little who came through with an RBI single to make it 13-10. Emma McCraw then ripped an RBI single to pull the Royals within 13-11 and give them life. That's as close as they were able to get though as they fell out of the GSAC Championships. 
The Royals will now sit and wait to see if they are selected as an at large team for the NAIA Opening Round which will take place May 12-15 at a site to be announced. Tune into the NAIA selection show on Wednesday, May 7 at 3:00 PM.
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