MARION, Ill. — Parkside softball nearly erased an early five-run hole Saturday afternoon, but the Rangers' late push came up just short in a 5-3 loss to Lincoln (Mo.) on day two of the Oasis Sports D2 Tournament at the Oasis Sports Complex.

Lincoln did its damage early, plating four runs in the top of the first inning to grab immediate control. Parkside's defense was forced to play from behind the rest of the day, and the Blue Tigers added an insurance run in the fifth to extend the margin to 5-0.

The Rangers didn't fold. Parkside responded in the sixth inning with a three-run rally that brought the tying run into the conversation. Mia Johnson helped jump-start the inning, and Elodie Sullivan delivered the biggest swing of the afternoon with a triple that drove in a pair. Isabel Aranda followed with a run-scoring double as Parkside closed the gap to 5-3, but the Rangers couldn't push across any more as Lincoln held on over the final outs.

Despite the loss, Parkside finished with the edge in hits, 7-6. Taylor Utrata and Johnson each went 2-for-4 to lead the Rangers at the plate, while Sullivan finished 1-for-3 with two RBIs from the seven spot. Aranda added a double and an RBI, and Ava Swain chipped in a hit as Parkside posted multiple extra-base knocks in the comeback attempt.

In the circle, Ellie Curtis started and worked three innings, allowing four runs, all unearned, on four hits while striking out three. Melanie Andrysiak steadied things in relief, throwing four innings and giving up just one run on two hits, striking out two and walking one to keep Parkside within range.

Lincoln was paced by a pair of multi-hit performances, including Gracie Wright and Marlee Brown, and the Blue Tigers took advantage of early opportunities to build the cushion that ultimately held up.

Parkside will wrap up the Oasis Sports D2 Tournament on Sunday with a pair of games, facing Kentucky Wesleyan at 10 a.m. CT before closing the weekend against UMSL at 12:30 p.m. CT.

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