Game 1: Ashland 16, Parkside 12
Game 2: Parkside 3, Ashland 2
The final doubleheader for the Parkside softball team ended in a split, with the two games playing out very differently. Ashland won a shootout in game one, and the Rangers took a pitcher's duel in game two.
 
GAME 1 RECAP
The bats came to play in game one for both teams, with a total of 28 runs crossing home plate. After three innings, the Eagles had a 5-1 lead thanks to one run in the first, and two runs each in the second and third innings. The Parkside offense exploded in the top of the fourth thanks in large part to a two-out grand slam from redshirt-senior Megan Aliverti. The scoring didn't stop there, with the Rangers offense adding three more byway of a wild pitch and a two-RBI single from redshirt-senior Allison Hausl. After the top of the fourth barrage by the Ranger offense, Parkside led 8-5. That lead didn't last long, as the Eagles responded in their half of the fourth with a six-run, five-hit frame that saw them retake the lead, 11-8.
 
The hosts would add two more in the bottom of the fifth before the Ranger offense had another big inning in the top of the sixth. The inning started with another homer from Aliverti, this time a two-run shot to bring the game to 13-10. The Green & White scored two more before innings end, one on a passed by that scored sophomore Tai Gonzales, and an RBI groundout from Hausl. With only a one run lead heading into the bottom of the sixth, the Eagles were able to add three insurance runs and make the score 16-12.
 
GAME 2 RECAP
Game two was a polar opposite from the high-scoring affair that game one was. Both teams got seven inning gems from their starters. Junior Kiley Akey started on the mound for Parkside, and went seven innings, giving up no earned runs, and allowing only five hits.
 
The Rangers trailed 2-1 heading into the top of the sixth, but it tied it up when Aliverti scored on an Eagle fielding error. Parkside scored again in the top of the seventh on an RBI double from senior Jessica Miklos. Akey retired Ashland in order in the bottom of the seventh, and the Rangers secured their 17^th win of the 2021 season.
 
STATWORTHY
Aliverti had a huge day offensively for Parkside, going 4-for-6 across the two games with two home runs and six RBI. Miklos also had a big day at the plate, going 3-for-6 with game two's go ahead RBI double.

WHAT'S NEXT
Today's two games were the last of the Parkside softball regular season. The Rangers have qualified for the GLIAC Tournament, and will head there on Tuesday, May 11. The seeding isn't final, so the team will wait to see who they'll take on.