Adelphi Box Score

C.W. Post Box Score

Kissimmee, Flo.- The UW-Parkside Softball team is heading home from Florida happy as the Rangers completed their spring break trip with an 8-6, 10 inning victory over Long Island University C.W. Post. The Pioneers were among the top teams in receiving votes category of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Top 25 poll released today.

"It was a good 'W' for us for a lot of reasons," said Head Coach Laura Fillipp. "Everything we talked about lacking yesterday ... we did in this game."

Parkside lost the first game of the day to Adelphi University 6-4, and finished their trip 4-6. They are now 4-10 on the season.

On Wednesday afternoon the Rangers had to battle back from an early deficit as the Pioneers scored two first inning runs and added another in the second against starter Jill Vondrak. It wasn't until the top of the fourth when the offense busted out and started what turned out to be a back-and-forth contest.

The fourth began with three consecutive singles by Kristen Luevano, Lani Grogan, and Meg McCormick; loading the bases with no one out. After a groundout, Diana Gordan knocked in the Rangers first run on a fielder's choice making it 3-1.

Faced with the prospect of squandering a big opportunity, Ashley Sullivan stepped up and delivered a big two-out hit to right field, scoring two runs, and tying the game. Lexi Sotiros kept the inning alive with another hit before freshman Colleen Cummings ripped a double down the left field line, clearing the bases, and staking the Rangers to a 5-3 lead.

"Colleen had an unbelievable last few days," said Fillipp. "We moved her into the lead-off spot and she handled that pressure well. It felt like she was always on-base."

C.W. Post answered in the fifth to tie the score. After retiring the first two batters, the Pioneers got to Vondrak with three straight hits, two of which were run-scoring doubles, knotting the game at five.

The game remained that way until the ninth when both teams' defenses allowed an unearned run. With the International Tiebreaker rule in effect (runner placed on second base to being the inning) the Rangers scored their run when Sullivan scored on a booted grounder off the bat of Cummings. C.W. Post got there's a two-out error by the Rangers; sending the game to the 10th.

In the tenth the Rangers took command as Grogan drove in a run with a one-out single to right, making it 7-6. McCormick and Nicki Ekstrom added singles to load the bases before a Gordan sac fly added a big insurance run.

It was all the help Vondrak would need as she set down the Pioneers in order, recording the complete game, and finishing the trip on a high note.

"Jill pitched a heck of a game," said Fillipp. "She had a lot of tough spots to get out of and really stepped up."

Although the team is not completely satisified with the 4-6 trips, Fillipp saw another step forward on Wednesday.

"We saw some fight in them today," she said. "The energy level and the fight ... they were exactly the things we were looking for today."

The Rangers will now return to Wisconsin where they are scheduled to open their home, and GLVC, schedules this weekend. Parkside will host Quincy University at noon and Saturday and Illinois-Springfield at the same time Sunday.