FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mark Albanese, Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Media Relations

Game One Box Score

Game Two Box Score

ROCHESTER, Minn. (Feb. 17, 2015)-- The University of Wisconsin-Parkside softball squad opened the lid on its 2015 campaign on Tuesday afternoon, dropping both ends of a doubleheader to 22nd-ranked Winona State University in a non-conference showdown inside the Rochester Dome. The fifth inning proved to be the Rangers' Achilles heel in both contests, surrendering four runs in the inning during both games and suffering 6-0 and 7-1 setbacks to the Warriors.

The Rangers (0-2) and Warriors (2-0) were locked in a scoreless struggle after four innings of play in the opener before Winona State opened the floodgates with four runs in the fifth inning. Ashley Walker pushed across a pair of runs on a double to left center field while Jessica Kullmann doubled the score with a two-run home run later in the inning, giving WSU the 4-0 edge. The Warriors tallied a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, building a 6-0 buffer. 

UW-Parkside threatened in the top of the seventh inning with Megan Holderby belting an outfield single and Morgan Dastych drawing a walk but Ashley Walker neutralized the threat by recording a strikeout to end the game.

Holderby and Madison Manders led the Ranger offense, each finishing two-for-three at the plate as the Rangers stranded six runners on the base paths during the course of the game.

Carly Dundee was saddled with the loss, pitching all six innings and striking out five while Walker claimed the win, striking out seven in the complete game shutout.

In the nightcap, the Rangers staked an early lead but was ultimately unhinged by fielding miscues as all seven of the nationally-ranked Warriors runs were unearned. UW-Parkside pushed across a run in the third inning with Emily Hastings reaching base on a fielder's choice. Hastings stole second before scoring on an error after Paige Harbord laid down a bunt single. WSU equalized the score in the third inning before adding another run in the fourth to grab a 2-1 lead. Winona capitalized on two errors to plate four runs in the fifth while tacking on one more in the sixth inning to conclude the scoring.

Courtney Ellingson suffered the loss in the circle, striking out five but allowing seven unearned runs in 5 1/3 innings of action. Amber Ramos closed the game for the Rangers, striking out one and allowing no base hits. Hanna Lythberg collected the complete game win for WSU, striking out 11 and allowing just two hits.

The Rangers return to the diamond on Wednesday, traveling to West Saint Paul, Minnesota to face the University of Minnesota-Duluth in a twinbill beginning at 11 a.m.