SMYRNA, Tenn. --- The Parkside softball team returned to action on Saturday afternoon, taking on Tiffin and Cedarville. The Rangers tried to rally late in the opener but fell just short 6-4. The Rangers then rebounded with a 4-0 win over Cedarville, behind a complete-game shutout from Kiley Akey.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
-           Akey allowed just five hits in her shutout effort while striking out two. She needed just 69 pitches over the seven innings of work.
-           Cassie Rutledge had two extra-base hits on the day, one double and a triple.
-           Olivia Masnica worked two innings of scoreless relief in the opening game of the day, allowing just two hits.
 
GAME ONE VS. TIFFIN
The Dragons jumped on Parkside quickly in the first two innings. Tiffin plated three runs on three hits in the first, and three runs on four hits in the second to open up a 6-0 lead. Parkside worked to start a rally in the fifth. With two outs, Megan Medlin walked. Rutledge followed by ripping a 3-2 pitch to the right field fence for an RBI triple. Tia Livernash kept things going with a double of her own which scored Rutledge, making it 6-2 Dragons.
 
Parkside continued to fight back in the seventh. With two outs Alex Wooten singled up the middle. Taylor Delgado followed with a single, before Riley Baetz tripled to right, scoring two and bringing the tying run to the plate. Unfortunately, the Rangers were unable to complete the comeback, falling 6-4.
 
GAME TWO VS. CEDARVILLE
The first two innings of the day's second game went quickly, with both pitchers facing just two above the minimum. However, Parkside broke through in the top of the third. With one out Delgado singled through the left side and stole second one pitch later. After a flyout advanced Delgado to third, Akey doubled down the left field line scoring Delgado and making it 1-0 Parkside.

Akey with the double off the fence in left! Rangers lead Cedarville 1-0 in the third. pic.twitter.com/MtkvukcNnD

— Ranger Softball (@UWP_Softball) February 18, 2023

 
The Rangers made it 2-0 in the top of the fourth. A leadoff walk put a runner on, but it would be a Rutledge double to left center scoring Tai Gonzales all the way from first. Parkside then added on two insurance runs in the sixth. A single and two hit batters loaded the bases for Dani Evans who took the first pitch of the at-bat and drove it to right center, scoring two.
 

Rangers add on in the sixth! Evans' double plates two, extending the Parkside lead to 4-0! pic.twitter.com/8ztqrh9J0h

— Ranger Softball (@UWP_Softball) February 18, 2023

The four runs would be more than enough for Akey inside the circle. The senior allowed just five hits in her first start of the season.
 
The Rangers will close out the opening weekend on Sunday morning with contests against Northwood and Indianapolis. First pitch of the day will be at 9:00am from Cedar Stone Park. Links to coverage can be found at ParksideRangers.com/coverage.