GAME 1: Purdue Northwest 13, Parkside 1
GAME 2: Parkside 7, Purdue Northwest 3
After getting beat handily in game one, the Parkside softball team rallied to win game two against a tough Purdue Northwest squad. Senior Kiley Akey went 2-for-3 and hit the go-ahead 2-run home run, followed by a 3-run bases clearing double later in the game. Redshirt-senior Tijanne Ross pitched a complete game with four strikeouts to earn the win for Parkside.
Hear from Akey and Ross
GAME 1 RECAP
The Rangers got the bats started early as junior Taylor Delgado led off with a shot into right field that was good enough for a double. Junior Jadynn Powell stayed hot as she knocked one straight up the middle for a RBI single to put the Rangers up 1-0. PNW battled back with a solid inning of their own. A walk to lead off the second set up Selena Michko's 2-run home-run that gave the Pride the lead 2-1.
After the first three innings, this game looked as if it would be a nail-bitter; the Pride had other plans. The top of the fourth saw three runs come across the plate for PNW. Three singles loaded the bases and another single drove two runs in. A fourth single would bring the last run in, but the damage had been done.
The last few innings were more of the same as PNW asserted their dominance, scoring seven of their runs in the top of the sixth inning. The Pride have been forceful throughout the season and they showed it in this first game scoring 13 runs.
The Rangers were led by Delgado who was a perfect 3-for-3 with a double and a SB. Powell has been really consistent as she went 1-for-3 with a RBI in Game one. Freshman Rylee Baetz and redshirt-senior Alyssa Laxson also contributed in the hit column with a single apiece. Baetz drew a walk as well.
Akey and freshman Olivia Masnica were the pitchers in Game one. Akey threw for 3.1 innings giving up eight hits with five earned while fanning two batters. Masnica worked through 2.2 innings allowing six hits with seven earned runs. She struck out one batter.
GAME 2 RECAP
The second game started out really competitive as both teams were limited in the hit and runs column. That would change thanks to a solo shot from junior Alex Wooten that put the Rangers up early. The Pride quickly responded, putting up two runs of their own on three hits.
The game looked to be going downhill, but the Rangers kept their composure and fired back with their own 2-run inning. CaroleAnn Goglin's double down the right field line got things rolling. Akey launched a rocket over the center field wall to put two on the board and give Parkside a 3-2 lead. The Pride scored another run in the top of the sixth to tie the game 3-3.
The bottom of the sixth is where the Rangers would turn the tide. An error to lead off the inning placed Laxson at first. A Baetz double advanced pinch runner, Tai Gonzales, to third. After a ground out and a walk for Wooten, the bases were loaded with two outs. Akey, struck again. She was able to come through in the clutch and deliver the most important hit of the two games. Her base-clearing double to left center was the play of the game and drove in all three runs to put the Rangers up 6-3, but they weren't finished yet. Taylor Delgado brought Akey home with a triple of her own to help close the game.
Delgado stayed hot in this one, going 2-for-3 with a double, triple, and RBI. Akey also did her fair share of damage from first base instead of her usual pitching role. She finished with two hits, the double and the home run, two runs scored, and five RBI. Wooten accounted for the other RBI in this game with the solo home run. Tai Gonzales and Cassie Rutledge both pinch ran and scored in the contest. Tia Livernash, Baetz, and Goglin all contributed with a hit apiece as well.
Tijanne Ross was dominant in Game two as she went a full 7.0 innings and only gave up eight hits, two earned runs, and struck out four batters. She has earned her second win on the season.
ON DECK
Parkside is back home after a long road trip of doubleheaders. They will be facing Northwood this Saturday with Ferris State coming in on Sunday. Both doubleheaders are scheduled to be played at Case Softball Complex. Sunday will be senior day for Parkside, as the team will honor Laxson and Ross after both games.
