Parkside 6, Truman State 5
Parkside 7, Ursuline 0
The Parkside softball team opened their weekend at the Rosemont Dome Tournament hosted by Lewis. The Rangers opened the day with a come from behind win over the Truman State Bulldogs in seven innings. The Green and White then rode a stellar pitching performance from Kiley Akey to earn their second win of the day.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED VS TRUMAN STATE
The Rangers fell behind in the top of the first, as the Bulldogs scored the first run of the game on an RBI ground out. The Bulldogs added on one more in the top half of the second inning on an RBI single, giving them a 2-0 lead. The lead did not last long, as Jadynn Powell doubled to right field, scoring Cassie Rutledge and Tai Gonzales to tie the game. The Bulldogs took back the lead in the top of the third, with an RBI single to jump back in front 3-2.
 
The Rangers offense came alive in the fourth inning, as Rutledge started the action with a single on a 2-1 count. Dani Evans followed up with a single of her own, with Rutledge advancing to second base. Powell sent a 2-1 pitch back to the pitcher, who attempted get the force out at third base but missed the throw so all runners advanced safely. The Rangers had the bases loaded with one out in the inning, as Taylor Delgado hit a single to right field, scoring Rutledge and Evans. A throwing error would bring both Powell and Delgado home to jump ahead with a 6-3 lead.
 
The Bulldogs cut the deficit to two in the fifth with a sacrifice fly, and added another run with another sacrifice fly in the sixth. The Rangers defense locked the Bulldogs down in the seventh to come away with their first win of the day.
 
Olivia Masnica earned the win in relief, pitching four innings and allowing two runs in her outing. Kaci Shickel got the start for the Rangers, throwing three innings and earning three strikeouts.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED VS URSULINE
Akey got the offensive party started in the top of the first with an RBI single to score Rutledge. Offense was scarce on both sides in the middle innings, as it took until the fifth inning to get another run on the scoreboard. Eden Welling added to the lead with a no doubt homerun to straight center, her first of the season. The Rangers surged in the sixth inning, with Powell hitting a triple to score Tia Livernash and Tai Gonzales. Powell would score on an error throw during the play to put Parkside ahead 5-0. The Rangers would add two more on an RBI double from Rutledge; Delgado and welling scored on the play.
 
Kiley Akey earned her second consecutive complete game shutout in the win. She finished with four strikeouts and four hits allowed. She improves to 2-1 on the season.
 
HEAR FROM COACH ORTMAN
"We had a really strong day to start off this weekend's tournament. In the first game, I feel we stayed disciplined and mentally tough when we went down early. Jadynn's double really changed the momentum and got our team in a mindset to keep battling. The fourth inning presented us with an opportunity to add some runs and we capitalized on said opportunity. Taylor made a heads-up baserunning play and turned a two-run single into a four-run play. Olivia did a nice job of closing down the game on the mound.
 
In the second game, Kiley dominated on the mound from the first pitch to the final out, and her teammates fed off that energy. The bats really came alive late in the game and it was a really strong win for this team. We can't wait to get back at it tomorrow against Upper Iowa and Minnesota-Duluth."
 
UP NEXT FOR THE RANGERS
The Rangers return to action tomorrow as they take on the Upper Iowa Peacocks at 9 a.m. and the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs at 11 a.m. at the Rosemont Dome in Rosemont, Ill. For more information, visit parksiderangers.com.