ROSEMONT, Ill. -- The Parkside softball team was back on the road on Thursday playing their opening two games of the Rosemont Dome Tournament. The Rangers took on Minnesota State Moorhead in game one, dropping the contest in a close 3-2 scoreline. They would then turnaround to face Truman State, who they would defeat in a 9-8 thriller.

Game One
KC Shickel would get the start in the circle for the Rangers in game one. Despite the loss, Shickel tossed an impressive game, going the full seven innings and allowing three runs. Of her three runs allowed two were in the first inning, as she would allow just one run in the final six innings. Cassie Rutledge would deliver the Rangers two runs on her two run home run. Rutledge went 1-3 on the day.

The Dragons would jump on the board early, putting two runs on the board in the top half of the first inning. They would add their third run in the fourth inning on a hard hit ball up the middle for a single. 

In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Rangers would finally breakthrough. Taylor Delgado would get on base by drawing a walk, setting the table for Cassie Rutledge. Rutledge would launch a two run shot to bring the Rangers within run. It is her first long ball of the year. Despite the late game heroics, the Rangers couldn't catch the Dragons and would drop the game 3-2.

Game Two
Olivia Masnica would start on the mound in game two for the Rangers. She would go 4.1 innings with two punch outs and allowing four earned runs. Haley Remington would have a strong day at the plate going 1-2 with two RBIs, scoring two runs, and drawing a team high three walks.

The Rangers would push runs across the plate early, scoring three runs in the first inning, capitalizing on a Bulldog error and good base running. The Rangers would hold a 3-0 up until the fifth inning.

In the top half of the fifth inning, the Bulldogs would generate some offense. The Rangers would allow four hits in the inning as the Bulldogs would string together four runs to take the lead from the Rangers 4-3. 

Parkside wasted no time answering as Rylee Baetz would lay down a bunt single in the bottom of the fifth inning that would then force a throwing error on the Bulldogs that would score Mia Johnson to knot the game up at 4-4. With two outs in the inning and runners on first and third CICI Di Silvio would be entered to pinch hit. The freshman would deliver a two out base hit to score two runs and put Parkside in the drivers seat 6-4. It would be Di Silvio's first collegiate hit. 

The Rangers would continue to push in the bottom of the sixth inning as a Haley Remington single and another Bulldog error would plate three more runs for the Rangers as Remington would score on the arrant throw. Parkside would hold the 9-4 lead heading into the top of the seventh. 

Truman State didn't go down without a fight, as they battled back in the final inning of play. The Bulldogs would score three runs through their first seven batters of the inning and would set the scene for the final play of the game. With runners on second and third and two outs, Olivia Fee would look to seal the save and the win for the Rangers. Fee's two out pitch would be driven to Baetz at second base who would try to make the throw across her body to first base to get the final out of the game. The throw would be just barely too late, but Emmee Ball would make the heads up play as the Bulldogs would send the runner from second home. Ball delivered the perfect throw to catcher Mia Johnson who would apply the tag in time to record the final out of the game as the Rangers narrowly escaped 9-8.

Up Next
The Rangers will remain in Rosemont for day two tomorrow. The Rangers are slated to take on Minnesota Duluth at 11 a.m. CST, immediately followed by a match up with Upper Iowa at 1:30 p.m. CST. Coverage for both games can be accessed at ParksideRangers.com/coverage