KENOSHA, Wis – The Parkside softball team faced a strong Saginaw Valley State team on Friday afternoon. The Rangers took on the Cardinals at Carthage College, as morning rain had an impact at the Case Softball Complex. SVSU topped the Rangers in double header action 14-2 in game one and 8-6 in game two.
 
Game One
Saginaw Valley State wasted no time getting on the board in the top of the first inning. After a leadoff single, the Cardinals would double to left field to drive in the first run. A three-run home run capped a four-run first frame for the Cardinals.
 
Parkside responded quickly in the bottom of the first when Mia Johnson was hit by a pitch and later came around to score on a single to left center by Toni Rodriguez, cutting the deficit to 4-1. The Rangers threatened with two runners on but were unable to add more runs.
 
SVSU tacked on another run in the second inning on a throwing error, extending their lead to 5-1. The Cardinals continued to apply pressure in the third, scoring five more runs on a series of singles and aggressive baserunning to push the advantage to 10-1.
 
Parkside struggled to find momentum offensively, managing just two hits in the second and third innings but leaving runners stranded. Meanwhile, SVSU added to their total in the fifth inning with a three-run homer and another run scored on a defensive miscue, putting the Rangers in a 14-1 hole.
 
The Rangers showed resilience in the bottom of the fifth, as Johnson led off with a walk and later scored on an RBI single from Ava Swain. Despite adding another base hit from Megan Medlin, Parkside was unable to extend the game, falling via the run-rule after five innings.
 
Game Two
Parkside would look to bounce back in game two. The Rangers battled hard but ultimately fell to Saginaw Valley State, 8-6, after a late rally by the Cardinals in the seventh inning.
 
The Rangers jumped out to an early lead in the first, capitalizing on an RBI groundout from Megan Medlin and a clutch two-run single by Rylee Baetz to take a 3-0 advantage. The Cardinals responded in the second with a solo home run, but Parkside extended its lead to 5-1 in the bottom half, thanks to a two-run blast to center field by Mia Johnson.
 
Saginaw Valley chipped away at the deficit, scoring a run in the third and another in the fifth on a solo home run to make it a 5-3 game. In the sixth, the Cardinals surged ahead with a three-run homer to left center, giving SVSU a 6-5 lead.
 
Parkside fought back in the bottom of the sixth, tying the game at 6-6 when Haley Remington doubled and was driven in by Toni Rodriguez's RBI single. However, Saginaw Valley responded in the seventh, plating two runs on a two-run single to take an 8-6 lead.
 
The Rangers looked to rally in the bottom of the seventh after a leadoff double by Medlin, but the Cardinals held on as the final three batters were retired in order.
 
Up Next
The Rangers will look to bounce back tomorrow as they will host more GLIAC action. Parkside will face Wayne State in their senior day game. The program's eight seniors will be honored prior to first pitch. First pitch of game one is slated for 12 pm with coverage available at ParksideRangers.com/coverage.