HAMMOND, Ind. -- The Parkside softball program officially opened up GLIAC play on Friday afternoon. The Rangers took on Purdue Northwest in Indiana, splitting the match up. Parkside would fall in climatic extra inning action in game one, 6-4. They would then bounce back in game two with their offense erupting for 20 total runs in a 20-9 victory.
Game One
Despite a strong pitching performance and clutch late-game hitting, Parkside fell to Purdue Northwest in a tough 6-4 loss on Friday after a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth.
The Rangers took a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning when
Megan Medlin delivered a two-run homer to left field, scoring
Kate Harrison, who pinch-ran after
Toni Rodriguez led off with a walk. Parkside's pitching and defense held strong, keeping the Pride scoreless through five innings.
Purdue Northwest got on the board in the sixth after a sacrifice fly plated a run, but Parkside still clung to a 2-1 lead heading into the final frames. In the seventh, an error allowed the tying run to score, making it a 2-2 ballgame.
The Rangers answered back in the ninth as
Ava Swain came through with a clutch RBI double to drive in
Taylor Utrata, followed by
Eden Welling's RBI double to extend the lead to 4-2.
However, Purdue Northwest had the final say. After loading the bases in the bottom of the ninth, the Pride delivered a walk-off grand slam to left center, securing a 6-4 win for the Pride.
Game Two
The Rangers unleashed an offensive onslaught in game two, racking up 20 runs on 18 hits to power past Purdue Northwest, 20-9, in a high-scoring battle.
The Rangers wasted no time getting on the board, putting up a five-run first inning.
Mia Johnson started the scoring with a leadoff triple before
Rylee Baetz drove her in with an RBI single. Later in the inning, a wild pitch brought in another run, and
Reese Valha delivered the big blow with a three-run homer to center field to give Parkside an early 5-0 lead.
Purdue Northwest responded with two runs in the bottom of the inning and capitalized on defensive miscues in the second to plate five unearned runs, taking a 7-5 lead. The Pride extended their lead to 9-5 after another pair of unearned runs in the third.
Trailing by four, Parkside came roaring back in the fourth with a massive 10-run inning.
Eden Welling ignited the rally with a solo home run, followed by Johnson's RBI double. An error kept the inning alive for the Rangers, allowing
Megan Medlin to drive in two with a double, and
Ava Swain knocked in two more with a single. Johnson capped off the frame with a grand slam, bringing Parkside back in front, 15-9.
The Rangers kept their foot on the gas in the fifth, adding five more runs.
Taylor Utrata, Welling, and Baetz each recorded RBI hits before
Toni Rodriguez capped the scoring with an RBI double, pushing the lead to 20-9.
After a rough start, Parkside's pitching settled in as
Hope Maes took control, tossing 2.1 shutout innings and allowing just one hit to close the door on Purdue Northwest.
Up Next
The Rangers now return to Kenosha to take on Grand Valley State in their home opener. The Lakers and Rangers will play in doubleheader action starting at 12 p.m. CDT. Coverage can be found at ParksideRangers.com/coverage.
