KENOSHA, Wis. – The Parkside softball program is set to open GLIAC play this weekend. The Rangers will open the weekend down at PNW for doubleheader action. First pitch of game one is set for 1 p.m. CDT. Parkside will then return home for their home opener against Grand Valley State on Saturday. First pitch from the Case Softball Complex is set for 12 p.m. CDT. Coverage for both games can be accessed at ParksideRangers.com/coverage.
 
The Rangers
Parkside returns to the diamond for the first time in 10 days. The Rangers last played UIS in non-conference doubleheader action. The Rangers would drop both games, losing game one 6-0 and game two in a nine-inning thriller 6-5. They enter GLIAC play with a 9-9 overall record.
 
The Rangers offense has been led by Rylee Baetz, Toni Rodriguez, and Mia Johnson. All three Rangers are batting over the .300 mark this season. Baetz leads the way with a team leading .333 batting average. She has come alive in the month of March for the Rangers, notably having a 4-4 game against Drury back on March 1st, notching two doubles.
 
Purdue Northwest
The Pride enter conference play with a 5-14-1 overall record. PNW most recently played down in Florida, playing seven games down in the Sunshine State. They would pick up two victories over Bentley University and Shepard University, as well as a 5-5 tie against Saint Michael's College.
 
PNW's offense led by the bat of Olivia Hernandez. The junior enters the weekend raking a .404 batting average, good enough for third best in the GLIAC. She's left the park twice this season and has driven in 17 runs, both team bests. Her teammate Amanda DeBoer leads the Pride in hits this season at 22.
 
Rylan Gick has been the go to arm for the Pride. She has thrown a team high 39.2 innings. Through those innings she has posted a 4.06 ERA and a record of 2-4. In total, the Pride have thrown five different pitchers this season.
 
Grand Valley State
The Lakers enter this weekend's action with a 9-13 overall record. They are slated to open their GLIAC play on Friday at Roosevelt. GVSU most recently played Tiffin on Monday, falling to them in doubleheader action 5-0 in both games.
 
Madelynn Pope is swinging a team leading .311 batting average. She has recorded 19 hits on the year, four of them being three-baggers. Teammate Elizabeth Wesoloski leads the team in hits at 20 as well as RBIs with 17.
 
The Lakers lean on Nevaeh Ingram in the circle. She has pitched the most innings of any Laker at 54.2 so far this year. She's posted a 2.43 ERA this season to pair with 42 strikeouts. Karli Dorr has pitched 50.2 innings for the Lakers but leads the team in strikeouts at 50 and ERA at 2.07.