Game 1 Box Score

Game 2 Box Score

Somers, Wis.- The UW-Parkside Softball team lost two close games to 11th-ranked Winona State University, Thursday at the Case Softball Complex. The Warriors won the opener 2-0, before overcaming a 7-2 deficit in game two to hand the Rangers an 11-8 defeat. UW-Parkside drops to 6-16 overall as Winona State improves to 16-3.

Both games were polar opposites as the number one starters locked up in a pitchers' duel in the opener before the offenses came alive in the nightcap. The two teams combined for 19 runs on 23 hits in game two after just two runs and nine hits previously.

"I'm disappointed mostly in that we had a chance to put them away in the second game and didn't capitalize on that opportunity," said Head Coach Laura Fillipp.

Jill Vondrak matched zeroes with Winona's Courtney Strang in the first game but for a damaging third inning. With runners on second and third Kathy Crudo hit a one-hopper to short that was misplayed allowing both runners to score.

From there Strang limited the Rangers to just three baserunners. Ashley Sullivan got Parkside's first hit with a double in the sixth and Lexi Sotiros reached on an error to become the game's tying run. But Strang struck out the next two hitters to end the threat. Nicki Ekstrom provided a two-out hit in the seventh but the rally was snuffed out there.

Strang improved to 9-2 with the complete game two-hitter. Vondrak took the loss allowing one earned run in seven innings.

"Jill definitely pitched well enough for us to get the win," said Fillipp. "We just didn't give her any support."

In game two things got started immediately as the Warriors put up two runs on a first inning home run against Kristin Kleinmeyer. The Rangers answered immediately though as Colleen Cummings and Christine Holthus walked to start the frame. Kirstin Luevano then laid down a bunt but the throw to first was dropped allowing Cummings to score and Holthus to get to third. Two batters later Ekstrom knocked in Holthus and the game was tied at two.

Parkside scored the next five runs to take a 7-2 lead after three. Luevano singled in Diana Gordon who had singled previously to make it 3-2. Krista Kelly followed with an RBI-single which turned into two runs after a boot in the outfield to increase the lead to 5-2. Gordon added to the lead with a booming home run in the third, pushing the Ranger lead to five.

"We scored in those first three innings but we needed to capitalize in the fourth and fifth," said Fillipp. "Like we talked about after the game, we had the opportunity to take control and didn't take advantage."

But the potent Warriors offense responded by scoring nine runs over the next three innings to take a lead they would not relinquish. The Rangers got one back in the sixth on a Christine Holthus home run but it was not enough as Winona claimed an 11-8 victory.

Michelle Lund picked up the win for Warriors despite allowing seven runs (four earned) over 4 2/3 innings. Courtney Strang came on in the fifth to pitch out of a bases loaded jam and finished the game to earn her first save. Kleinmeyer took the loss for UW-Parkside, falling to 0-5 on the season.

Gordon led the way offensively for the Rangers going 3-for-3 with a home run, two runs scored, and two RBI. Luevano had two hits and Holthus scored three runs.

"Diana had her first collegiate home run ... which is always big," said Fillipp. "She had a very good day."

The Rangers will be back at home Saturday in a GLVC-doubleheader against Maryville University at noon. Missouri S&T is on tap for Sunday, also at noon at the Case Complex.