Grayslake, Ill - The Parkside Rangers opened up the four-game set against the Wayne State Warriors with a walk-off 9-8 victory. After trailing as much as 3-0 and 7-2 at two separate points in the game, the Rangers rallied for seven runs in the final three innings of the game. This marked Parkside's first win over Wayne State since 2019, snapping an 18-game losing streak to the program.
How it happened
After Wayne State took Parkside down twice just two weeks ago, the Warriors began the game where they left off in Detroit. With the help of a pair of Parkside errors, the Warriors jumped out to a 3-0 advantage in the blink of an eye. However, Carter Storti, who got the start on the mound, settled and processed to toss three scoreless innings afterwards.
Wayne State had the reigning GLIAC Pitcher of the Year, Karter Fitzpatrick, get the start in game one of the series. After two scoreless innings to begin his start, the Rangers were able to break through in the third inning. Owen Brock led the inning off with a rocket double down the right field line, and Jude Allen delivered for the Rangers in their next at-bat. Allen smoked an RBI double off the center field fence, getting a hold of a breaking ball.
Later in the inning, Peter Fusek brought home Allen on an RBI groundout to bring Parkside within a run, the score was 3-2 after three innings.
In the fifth inning, the Warriors added on to their lead. They crossed two more runs right before the game was delayed. As the game was set to enter the sixth inning, umpires suspended the game due to lightning in the area. The game had a 35 minute pause with the score in favor of Wayne State, 5-2. When the game resumed, Wayne State wasted absolutely no time getting back in the scoring column. They scored two more runs in the sixth and went up 7-2.
Parkside got their comeback started in the seventh inning. Carter Storti got the inning going by reaching on an infield single. The Rangers scored a pair of runs on Wayne State errors and then another RBI groundout from Peter Fusek completed a three run seventh inning. They cut the deficit to just two runs.
After Wayne State got a run back in the top of eighth, Parkside remained unphased and got right back to scoring. Wayne State led 8-5 headed to the bottom of the eighth. Singles from John St. Clair and Camden Kearney put the Rangers in business. Owen Brock grounded into a fielder's choice which brought home the first run of the inning. Later on, Joe Hoeks singled home Carter Storti to bring the Rangers within a run once again. And with the bases loaded, Peter Fusek walked and tied the game. It was 8-8 headed to the ninth inning. Fusek finished with three RBI's in the game.
Parkside sent Leo Burger out for the ninth inning and he displayed his dominance once again. The freshman put together a 1-2-3 inning, collecting a pair of strikeouts.
John St. Clair began the bottom of the ninth by smoking a base hit into right field. It was St. Clair's third hit of the game. In Parkside's next at-bat, St. Clair stole second and put himself in scoring position. Later in the inning, Owen Brock hit a hard ground ball to third base. Wayne State's third baseman committed the team's fifth error of the game by throwing it away. St. Clair came around and scored the game-winning run.
With the win, it improved Parkside's record to 15-15 overall and 4-9 in GLIAC play.
Next
Parkside and Wayne State are set to resume the series tomorrow at Augie Schmidt Field. The ball clubs are slated to play a twin bill beginning at 1:00 pm. For coverage of the event, visit ParksideRangers.com/coverage.
