MARION, Ill. — The Parkside Rangers opened play Friday at the Oasis Sports D2 Tournament with a split, falling 2-0 to McKendree in the morning before responding with a statement 9-1 win over No. 11 UIndy in the afternoon to snap a four-game losing streak.

GAME ONE VS. McKENDREE

McKendree capitalized on an early opportunity and rode a historic pitching performance to a 2-0 victory in the opener. The Bearcats struck for both of their runs in the top of the first inning. After a leadoff single and a walk, Harris moved into scoring position before Myers delivered the decisive swing of the game, lining a two-run single to give McKendree a 2-0 advantage.

From that point on, the contest settled into a pitchers' duel. Holly Lowenberg regrouped in the circle and delivered a strong complete-game effort for Parkside. The right-hander went all seven innings, allowing just four hits and two earned runs while walking four and striking out two. She induced 11 flyouts and seven groundouts, keeping the Rangers within striking distance throughout the afternoon.

However, McKendree's Huck was nearly untouchable. Huck threw a seven-inning no-hitter, striking out 20 of the 21 batters she faced and allowing only one baserunner via hit-by-pitch. Parkside was held without a hit and struck out 20 times as a team. The Bearcats finished with two runs on four hits and no errors, while the Rangers were limited to zero runs, zero hits, and committed one error in the field.

GAME TWO VS. NO. 11 UINDY

Parkside responded in emphatic fashion in game two, erupting for 14 hits in a 9-1 victory over the 11th-ranked Greyhounds.

The Rangers wasted no time seizing control. Mia Johnson led off the game with a solo home run to deep left field, immediately setting the tone. After extending the inning and capitalizing on a UIndy error, Elodie Sullivan delivered a two-run single as part of a four-run first inning that gave Parkside a commanding 4-0 lead.

The Rangers continued to apply pressure. In the second inning, Taylor Utrata drove in a run with an RBI single to make it 5-0. Johnson came through again in the third with an RBI single to stretch the lead to 6-0.

UIndy's lone run came in the fourth inning on a solo home run by Cheyenne Eads, trimming the deficit to 6-1. Parkside quickly answered in the fifth when Johnson doubled and later scored on a sacrifice fly from CICI Di Silvio to push the lead to 7-1.

The exclamation point came in the seventh. After Di Silvio worked a walk, Ava Swain launched a two-run home run to deep left field to cap the scoring at 9-1.

Johnson led the Rangers at the plate, going 3-for-4 with three runs scored, a home run, a double, and two RBIs. Swain finished 2-for-3 with a home run, two RBIs, and two walks. Utrata added two hits and an RBI, while Isabel Aranda and Gracin Foytik each recorded two hits as Parkside totaled 14 on the afternoon. The Rangers also drew eight walks and did not commit an error defensively.

In the circle, Casey Jo Vermett delivered a standout performance, tossing a complete-game two-hitter. She allowed just one earned run while striking out nine and walking three over seven innings to earn her first win of the season and secure a signature victory over a nationally ranked opponent.

Parkside will continue its weekend slate in Marion on Saturday with its third of five games at the Oasis Sports Complex, taking on Lincoln (Mo.) at 12:30 p.m. CT.

To keep up with Parkside softball all season long, be sure to visit parksiderangers.com/coverage.