Game 1: Parkside 6, Saginaw Valley State 5
Game 2: Saginaw Valley State 6, Parkside 0
Behind a strong pitching performance by senior Allison Hausl in game one, the Parkside softball team was able to earn a split against Saginaw Valley State, one of the best teams in the GLIAC.
 
The Rangers moved to 6-10 overall and 2-4 in the GLIAC while the Cardinals, who were ranked in the NFCA Top-25 earlier this season, moved to 13-5 overall and 2-3 in the conference.
 
Game 1 Recap
The Cardinals jumped out to a 3-0 lead after three innings, but Parkside responded with a big 3-run top of the fourth inning. In the inning, senior Kate Czoschke hit an RBI single that scored senior Megan Aliverti and sophomore Dani Evans ripped a 2-run triple that scored a pair of unearned runs, tying the game at 3-3.
 
SVSU took a 5-3 lead in the bottom of the fourth, but again Parkside responded, this time thanks to an Aliverti 2-run double that scored senior Jess Miklos and senior Samantha Newtoff. The Rangers took the 6-5 lead in the top of the sixth thanks to a SVSU error that helped sophomore Taylor Delgado score the go-ahead run.
 
Parkside finished with six hits and drew six walks. Aliverti finished 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI and Evans went 1-for-4 with a triple and two RBI. Sophomore Cassie Rutledge scored a run and drew a pair of walks.
 
Senior Allison Hausl pitched a complete game, going 7.0 innings allowing five runs (two earned) on six hits with four strikeouts. She retired the last nine batters she faced. 
 
Game 2 Recap
A 5-run second inning was the difference in game two for the Cardinals, who got a strong outing from pitcher Julia Mundy. The Rangers were held to just two hits in game two, both of which came with two outs by Miklos in the third and sophomore Tai Gonzales in the seventh. It was Gonzales first career hit with the Rangers.
 
Senior Cassidy Prucha suffered the loss for the Rangers, going the first 1.1 innings while junior Kiley Akey pitched the final 4.2 innings.
 
What's Next
Parkside will stay on the road for a doubleheader at Purdue Northwest on Tuesday, March 30 before returning home for the team's home opener on Saturday, April 3 at 2/4 p.m. at Case Softball Complex. The Parkside Athletics Fan Policy for softball will be announced this week.