KENOSHA, Wis. – The Parkside softball program returned to the Case Softball Complex on Saturday afternoon for more GLIAC play. The Rangers hosted Wayne State on their senior day, as they celebrated the team's eight senior players. They would split the day taking a commanding win in game one 10-1 and dropping a nail biting 3-2 game two.
Game One
Parkside put on a power-hitting display in game one, launching four home runs en route to a dominant 10-1 victory over Wayne State. Led by an outstanding performance from
Mia Johnson, who crushed three home runs and drove in six runs, the Rangers controlled the game from the third inning on.
Wayne State struck first in the top of the third with a solo home run, but Parkside immediately responded in the bottom half. Johnson ignited the offense with a leadoff homer to left, and an RBI single from
Ava Swain helped push Parkside ahead 3-1.
The Rangers' bats stayed hot in the fourth, as
Eden Welling blasted a two-run home run, followed by Johnson's second long ball of the game to extend the lead to 6-1. The exclamation point came in the fifth when Johnson crushed a walk off grand slam to deep left center, capping a four-RBI inning and securing the run-rule victory.
Parkside's pitching from senior
Olivia Masnica was stellar, allowing just one run on four hits, while keeping Wayne State off the board after the third inning.
Game Two
The Rangers came up just short in a tightly contested game against Wayne State, falling 3-2 after a late rally by the Warriors in the fifth inning. Despite an early lead and strong defensive play, the Rangers were unable to reclaim momentum after Wayne State's go-ahead run.
Parkside got on the board first in the opening inning as
Haley Remington bunted for a single, advanced to second, and later scored on a
Megan Medlin RBI single. The Rangers extended their lead in the fourth when
Reese Valha scored on an
Eden Welling RBI double, making it 2-0.
Wayne State responded in the fifth with a two-run homer, followed by an unearned run off an RBI triple, giving the Warriors a 3-2 advantage.
Parkside had chances to tie the game, including
Mia Johnson reaching base twice in the final innings, but the Rangers couldn't capitalize. A sacrifice bunt moved Johnson to third in the seventh, but back-to-back outs sealed the win for Wayne State.
Despite the loss, Parkside's pitching and defense held Wayne State to just six hits while turning a key double play in the fourth.
Up Next
The Rangers look forward to some non-conference action coming up on Wednesday. Parkside will host Lewis at the Case Softball Complex in doubleheader action. First pitch of game one is slated for 1 p.m. CDT. Coverage can be found at ParksideRangers.com/coverage.
