KENOSHA, Wis. – The Parkside softball team took to the diamond on Saturday afternoon in GLIAC competition. The Rangers hosted Davenport University at the Case Softball Complex. The Rangers and Panthers split the day, with the Rangers taking game one in a 9-1 run-rule victory, and the Panthers swiping game two in a narrow 1-0 victory.
Game One
After escaping a bases-loaded jam in the top of the first, the Rangers wasted no time getting on the board.
Ava Swain worked a two-out walk, and
Megan Medlin delivered the early fireworks with a two-run home run to left field to give Parkside a 2-0 lead. Although Davenport responded with a solo homer in the top of the second, the Rangers stayed composed, holding their 2-1 advantage through three innings thanks to steady defense and strong pitching from
Olivia Masnica.
The offense erupted in the fourth.
Taylor Utrata opened the inning with a double, and
Eden Welling brought her home with an RBI single.
Haley Remington followed with a clutch two-run double, and
Ava Swain kept the momentum rolling with another RBI single. Parkside scored five runs in the frame, ballooning their lead to 7-1. The Rangers sealed the victory in the fifth as
Maddie Hernandez and Welling set the table, and Swain knocked in another run to push the score to 9-1. The game ended via run rule, with Parkside finishing with 11 hits.
Game Two
In a game dominated by stellar pitching and sharp defense, Parkside came up just short, falling 1-0 to Davenport on Saturday afternoon at the Case Softball Complex.
Davenport plated the game's only run in the second inning, capitalizing on a sacrifice fly after loading the bases with a series of small-ball plays. Despite the early threat, Parkside's defense minimized the damage, stranding three Panthers on base and keeping the game within reach.
The Rangers' offense showed signs of life, recording four hits, including a double from
Haley Remington in the fourth and back-to-back singles from
Rylee Baetz and
Reese Valha in the fifth. However, Parkside struggled to find the timely hit needed to push a run across. The Rangers' best opportunity came in the bottom of the fifth with two runners aboard, but Davenport was able to escape the jam to preserve their narrow lead.
Despite the loss,
Amber Smith was dominate in the circle for the Rangers. The junior tossed all seven innings while allowing just five hits and allowing a lone run. All while just tossing 87 pitches in her outing.
Up Next
The Rangers will look to bounce back from their game two loss tomorrow, Sunday, as they will face Ferris State in their final regular season doubleheader. First pitch is slated for 12 p.m. CDT with coverage available at ParksideRangers.com/coverage.
