FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill Boppre, Sports Media Assistant
 
Game One Box Score
 
Game Two Box Score

SOMERS, Wis. (Apr. 17, 2016)-- On Senior Day, the University of Wisconsin-Parkside softball team won its opening game 5-3 with the assistance of a two-run home run from Courtney Ellingson, and fell in the late game 5-1 to Rockhurst University in a Great Lakes Valley Conference doubleheader at Case Softball Complex.
 
The Rangers (8-34, 2-21 GLVC) came out swinging in the opening inning of game number one.  After Parkside scored one run on a wild pitch, Raegan Fingerman approached the plate with runners on the corners.  Fingerman picked up one RBI with a fielder's choice grounder to short.  Courtney Ellingson followed her up with a homer to left center.  Senior, Alexis Simone hit home the fifth and final run of the inning with a shot to left field, but was gunned down trying to stretch it to a double. 
 
Rockhurst (18-26, 11-15 GLVC) found themselves down 5-0 early, but got one run back after Lauren Cairo hit a solo shot over the left field fence in the top of the fourth.  The Hawks would threaten again in the seventh scoring two more runs, but Carly Dundee (6-17) was able to close out the complete game and give the Rangers the 5-3 win.
 
The second game started off as a pitching exhibition with only 3 total hits on the scoreboard after three innings.  Rockhurst was able to score five runs on seven straight singles with only one out in the top of the fourth.  Carly Dundee entered the game in relief for senior starting pitcher, Amber Ramos (1-10).  Dundee was able to secure the last two outs of the inning, and held the Hawks scoreless the rest of the way. 
 
In the Rangers' fifth, Courtney Ellingson opened the inning by reaching with a base on balls.  With one out, Kellie Fenza reached first on a fielder's choice, and Ellingson moved to third after an error.  Ellingson was able to score on a double steal with Fenza, but that would be the only run Parkside could muster, falling 5-1.
 
Before the games, the team honored its two seniors with a pre-game ceremony.  Transfer student, Amber Ramos was joined by her parents, Cruz and Penny.  Ramos has pitched 129.2 innings in her 44 appearances with team over the past two seasons, and racked up 134 strikeouts over that time.  Four-year starter, Alexis Simone was accompanied by her parents, Denise and Bob.  Simone has started in 128 of her 145 game career with the Rangers.  Alexis has collected 56 RBIs and 15 home runs over the last four years.  Both plan to graduate in May with degrees in criminal justice.
 
The Rangers finish out the rest of the season on the road.  Next, they will head to Michigan on April 19 for a non-conference doubleheader against Saginaw Valley State University, the opening pitch is scheduled for 1pm EDT.