PEORIA, Ill. – Parkland College Softball (5-0) swept a doubleheader from Waubonsee CC (0-4), winning 11-3 in the first game, and 9-5 in the second. The games were played at the Louisville Slugger Athletic Complex as part of the Mount Mary University Collegiate Slugger Series.
In game one, the Cobras scored 4 runs in the first inning, sparked by and
Isabel Shafer lead-off home run, and that proved to be all the offense that was necessary to win. In game two, Parkland trailed, 3-5, in the middle of the fifth, when a
Summer Johnson 2-run homer tied the score, setting up
Eden McAvoy for a second dinger that proved to be the game-winner.
"Overall it was a good day," reflected Head Coach
Dan Paulson. "We got behind in game two and had to fight back. The ladies responded exactly how we needed, and that was great to see."
Up next, the Cobras travel to Carterville, Ill., to play a doubleheader against John A. Logan College on Saturday, March 6. Game times are 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm.
Game 1: Parkland 11, Waubonsee 3 (6 innings)
After scoring 4 runs in the first, Parkland scored in each successive inning. The Cobras had 14 hits, with five Cobras, including
Summer Johnson (2-2, 1 RBI, 1 HR),
Lizzy Davis (2-3, 2 RBI),
Anna Walker (2-3, 1 RBI),
Reagan Cheely (2-4, 2 RBI, 1 HR), and
Isabel Shafer (2-5, 1 RBI, 1 HR) each hitting a pair.
The Cobras spread out 3 home runs over five innings, with Shafer's in the first, Johnson's in the second, and Cheely's in the fifth.
"Izzy Shafer set the tone for game one with a lead-off home run in the top of the first," expressed Paulson. "Our defense was strong today, and
Emily Senjan was supurb, throwing two scoreless innings to close it out, getting six straight outs."
Eden McAvoy (1-3, 2 RBI), Davis, and Cheely each batted in two teammates.
Lauren Kavanagh (1-0) led Parkland to victory on the rubber. The lefty allowed three hits and three runs over four innings, striking out two and walking one.
Emily Senjan (0-0) threw two innings in relief out of the bullpen.
Game 2: Parkland 9, Waubonsee 5 (7 innings)
Each team scored 3 in the first, highlighted by a
Reagan Cheely (2-4, 2 RBI, 1 HR) 2-run home run. The Chiefs then added one in both the third and the fifth to lead by two, 3-5.
Summer Johnson's (4-4, 5 RBI, 2 HR) 2-strike, 2-run, homer in the bottom half also knocked in Cheely, and then
Eden McAvoy (1-3, 1 RBI, 1 HR) dinged one over the left field fence to take the lead, 6-5. Johnson added a 3-run blast in the sixth.
"
Summer Johnson had an outstanding day at the plate going 6-6 with 2 walks and 3 home runs," stated Paulson. "Summer is doing what we expect from her. She can flat out hit the ball."
Madison Vogel (2-2, 2 BB) and
Anna Walker (2-3) each had 2 hits, with Vogel reaching base in all four appearances.
Josie Birch (0-0) started the game for Parkland. The righthander lasted three innings, allowing four hits and four runs while striking out three with no walks.
Chayse Ramey (4-0) was the winning pitcher for the Cobras. The righty surrendered one run while allowing no hits over four innings, striking out eight.
