Millington, TN – Parkside opened the 2025 season against Kentucky Wesleyan on Sunday afternoon, battling in a doubleheader at USA Stadium. In two nail-biting games, Parkside came out on top in both, crediting timely hitting and relentless pitching.
GAME ONE
Parkside had an early opportunity to strike first but was unable to capitalize in the opening frame. Despite back-to-back hits from Angel Rades and Dylan Sayles, both were left stranded in scoring position. In the bottom half, Kentucky Wesleyan took advantage, plating the first run of the game with a solo home run.
Despite the early deficit, Keegan Waters settled in during his Parkside debut on the mound. Waters tossed 4.1 strong innings, allowing just three hits while picking up a strikeout.
Offensively, Parkside struggled to find the timely hit, leaving seven runners on base through six innings. Carter Storti entered in relief and delivered 1.2 innings of one-run baseball.
Storti showcased his ability to miss bats early, collecting three strikeouts in his 2025 debut. He exited the game with Parkside trailing 2-0 heading into the final inning.
With just three outs to work with in the seventh, Parkside mounted a dramatic comeback. Owen Brock and Jude Allen both reached base, setting the stage for a late rally. Angel Rades put Parkside on the board with an RBI groundout, and Dylan Sayles followed with his third hit of the game, driving in the game-tying run.
Moments later, Jackson Lindquist delivered the biggest hit of the game. Lindquist launched a go-ahead two-run homer over the left-field fence, marking not only his first home run as a Ranger but also his first signature moment.
With the lead in hand, Isaiah Terrell wasted no time shutting things down. It took just seven pitches for him to seal the victory, capping off Parkside's thrilling comeback with a strikeout.
GAME TWO
Parkside picked up right where they left off in the nightcap, jumping on Kentucky Wesleyan early. Peter Fusek led off the game with a base hit, quickly stole second, and came around to score on a Jude Allen RBI single. The offense didn't stop there—Owen Brock delivered the big blow, driving in two runs with a single up the middle. Brock later scored on a Kentucky Wesleyan error, giving Parkside a commanding four-run lead before their starter even took the mound.
Austin Grube was electric out of the gate, striking out the first five batters he faced. After allowing back-to-back hits, he bounced back with his sixth strikeout to end the second inning. Grube worked into the fifth before Kentucky Wesleyan finally broke through. A base hit and an error set the stage for a sacrifice fly and an RBI single, plating two runs and forcing Grube out of the game. Since the error extended the inning, both runs were unearned.
Kentucky Wesleyan capitalized on the miscue, adding three more runs to take a 5-4 lead. However, Parkside had an answer.
In the next inning, Carter Storti was hit by a pitch and later scored on an error, tying the game at five. Despite having a runner in scoring position, Parkside couldn't push across the go-ahead run.
The deadlock held until extra innings. In the ninth, Jude Allen and Dylan Sayles set the table with clutch base hits. With two outs and runners in scoring position, Angel Rades came through in the clutch, ripping a two-run double to center field to put Parkside back on top.
Allen Leitner took over in relief and was dominant, shutting down Kentucky Wesleyan over the final 4.1 innings. He struck out seven and earned the win. Grube and Leitner combined for 14 strikeouts in the ballgame.
With a strong Opening Day sweep, Parkside begins the 2025 season 2-0.
NEXT
Parkside and Kentucky Wesleyan will play two more games tomorrow, concluding a four-game set. For coverage of the events, visit ParksideRangers.com/coverage.
