WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.—The Barry Buccaneers opened the 2016 season with an exhibition sweep of the Keiser Seahawks at KU's Alumni Field on Sunday, winning the first game 5-3 and the nightcap 10-5 in five innings.
In the first game, Ashley Fernandez belted a three-run homer in the third inning and Geneva Santos pitched four scoreless innings to lead the Bucs to the 5-3 win.
Kayla Ogle doubled and scored on a Megan Copeland ground out in the first inning. Copeland, Dee Espinosa and Kristina Pazienza opened the third with consecutive singles. Copeland came in on a sacrifice fly by Santos and the rest followed on Fernandez's blast to left.
Santos did not allow a hit, but walked two, and struck out nine. Riley Caylor allowed all five runs for the Seahawks to take the loss. She gave up seven hits and two walks while recording one strikeout in five innings.
In the second game, the Bucs jumped out to a 4-0 lead after the top of the first, only to see the Seahawks tie it 4-4 in the bottom of the inning.
Alayna Gallagher had a one-out double in the top of the inning and scored on a ground ball by Cheyanne Head. Head scored on a fly ball by Lynsey Duncan after a single by Kristina Osorio. Osorio came home on Lexi Corrente's single and Jasmine Harris delivered Corrente with a double to center.
In the bottom of the inning, Jaryaca Rosario knotted the game at 4-4 with a three-run homer off of Duncan.
The Bucs broke the deadlock in the second inning. Alexis Kent led off with a single and pinch runner Sam Busekrus moved up on a bunt by Copeland. After a passed ball by Rosario, Gallagher blooped a single into left to score the run.
Barry broke the game open with a five-run third. Santos led off with a double and Corrente followed with a single to put runners at the corners. Harris knocked in Santos with a single to left. Ogle hit into a fielder's choice, but Seahawk shortstop Stormy Stokes booted the ball, allowing Harris to reach second and Corrente to score. With two outs, Gallagher came up big again, with a two-run single over Stokes' head. Gallagher scored on a single by Osorio.
Santos, who came on in the second inning in relief of Duncan, worked four innings to pick up the win. She allowed one run on two hits and two walks in four innings, while striking out six.
For the day, Gallagher led the Bucs with four hits, scored two and drove in three. Osorio had three hits, including a double. Corrente, Harris, Pazienza and Santos each had two hits, as the Bucs rapped out 22 in the twin bill. Fernandez also had three RBI.
In the two wins, Santos combined for one run on two hits in eight innings and 15 strikeouts.
The Bucs open the regular season on Friday, Feb. 5 at 7:00 pm against the Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish at the Eckerd Triton Invitational in Clearwater, Fla., at the Eddie C. Moore Complex.
