Davenport 10, Parkside 8
Davenport 6, Parkside 2
The Parkside softball team closed their weekend road trip to Michigan with a doubleheader against the Davenport Panthers. The Rangers offense got out to a strong start in the opener, but one rough inning defensively would cost the Rangers an opportunity to start the day with a win. The Panther took a slim lead early in the second game, and the Rangers would find a way to tie it up. However, Davenport's offense needed just one strong inning to take back their lead and hold on for the doubleheader sweep.
 
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HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME 1
The Panthers got on the board in the bottom of the first with an RBI groundout to second base. The Rangers would get the run right back in the top of the second, as Kiley Akey hit an RBI single to left field, scoring Megan Medlin and Tai Gonzales to give the Rangers an early two run lead. Shortly after, Cassie Rutledge hit her first homerun of the season, bringing Akey home to make it a 4-1 game.
 
Then came the third inning. The Panthers offense exploded, scoring nine runs on nine hits and one error to jump out to a 10-4 lead.
 
The Rangers did not back down, scoring two more runs in the top half of the fourth inning. An RBI single for Meagan Maza would bring Eden Welling home, and a flyout to center field by Medlin would bring home Rylee Baetz to make it a 10-6 ball game. Medlin would continue to play a major role on the offense end, as she hit an RBI double to left center to bring home Maza and Baetz again in the top half of the sixth.
 
The Rangers kept the Panthers off the scoreboard after the third inning, with Olivia Masnica allowing only two hits from the fourth inning on. Akey was handed the loss, falling to 5-5 on the year.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME 2
The Panthers got on the board early with a run scoring on a fielder's choice in the bottom of the first inning. They would add another in the third inning with an RBI single to left field, giving Davenport an early 2-0 lead. The Rangers got on the board in the fourth inning with a homerun to left field, her second of the season. The Rangers would tie the game in the fifth, as Welling hit a double to left field and scoring Brenna Konstanty on the play. The tie would not last long, as the Panthers would score four runs in the bottom half of the six to close out the weekend series.
 
KC Shickel got the start for the Rangers, going 2.0 innings and allowing two runs on one hit. Ellie Curtis was handed the loss in relief after going 3.1 inning and giving up the four runs in the sixth. She falls to 2-4 on the season.
 
UP NEXT FOR THE RANGERS
The Rangers home opener is scheduled for Saturday, April 1 as the Green and White are set to host Saginaw Valley State in a doubleheader that will begin at noon at the Case Softball Complex. For more information, visit parksiderangers.com.