Kenosha, Wis - Parkside began the home portion of their schedule with a double header against Upper Iowa. Although Parkside crushed four total home runs, they fell in both battles. Game one finished in seven innings and ended 8-7, and game two went the full nine and ended 13-7.
GAME ONE
An aspect of Parkside's game that has been consistent all season so far, is their ability to score runs. That effort continued in these two games and it started early. After surrendering two runs in the very first inning, the Rangers had an immediate response. With two runners on, Owen Brock delivered a two-run double into deep left field. Parkside responded and that would be the theme in game one.
In the second inning, the Rangers began to mix in the long ball. In a 2-2 tie, Koto Sato clubbed a monster solo home run into dead center field to put Parkside ahead. It was the first long ball for Sato as a Parkside Ranger.
Parkside would fall behind as much as 8-4 with just six outs to work with. Freshman Carter Storti has been one of Parkside's most consistent hitters so far. He led the sixth inning off by smoking a solo shot over the left center field fence. It was his first collegiate home run and it came in a clutch manner.
Storti delivered once again in the seventh inning. He cashed in Angel Rades to draw the Rangers within a single run. With two outs, the Rangers brought the tying run to first base and the go-ahead run to second base. On a wild pitch, John. St. Clair advanced to third and Storti was thrown out heading to second base and the game ended.
Parkside Swanson delivered 3.1 innings of relief for Parkside in the loss. He allowed no earned runs and struck out four batters in the process. Peter Fusek had a solid game as well, collecting two hits in four at-bats.
GAME TWO
Similar to the night cap of Parkside's double header against Upper Iowa on Sunday, the Peacocks exploded offensively. Early on, it seemed as if the Rangers would keep up. After trailing a run in the second inning, Andrew Harris demolished his second home run of the season.
Parkside fell behind 11-1 by the sixth inning. Koto Sato continued his solid offensive day, registering an RBI on a base hit in the bottom half of the sixth inning. Parkside still had bright moments throughout the game as a few players recorded some "firsts." Benji Hencke smoked his first collegiate home run in the seventh inning. John Wubben collected his first hit and RBI in the eighth inning. And, Andrew Mack got his first hit and RBI in the ninth inning.
K.T. Brown delivered two runs of scoreless baseball in relief in his first two collegiate innings. Brown struck out three hitters. With the two losses, Parkside falls to 3-5 overall.
UP NEXT
Parkside will return to action on Friday back on the road. They will play three games against Southwest Baptist University. Friday's game will begin at 4:00pm in Bolivar, Missouri. For coverage of the event, visit ParksideRangers.com/coverage.
