CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – No. 6 Parkland College Baseball (3-1) split a doubleheader today, taking 3-of-4 in its season-opening series with Jefferson College (4-7). In game 3, back-to-back-to-back homers in the 4^th inning led to an 11-4 Parkland win. In game 4, the Cobras fell behind early and never led, losing by the final score of 4-8.
 
Up next, the Cobras travel to Ina, Ill., to play Rend Lake College on Monday, March 8, at 1:00 pm.
 
Game 3: No. 6 Parkland 11,  Jefferson 4  (7 innings) 
 
The Cobras jumped on top, 6-0, after two innings, sparked by a Hogan McIntosh (3H, 4 RBI) 2-run home run. In the fourth, Cole Evans (3H, 3 RBI), Brant Vanaman, and Tyler Grigalis launched back-to-back-to-back homers, and the lead was 11-1. The Vikings scored one more in the fifth and hit a 2-run homer in the seventh, but they could not manage to overcome the deficit.
 
Matt Parenteau (1-0) started on the mound, going 4 innings and earning the win. He gave up 1 run and 2 hits, walking 1 and striking out 8. Wil Stockman (3 IP, 3 R, 2 H, 3 BB, 2 SO) got the save out of the bullpen.
 
Game 4: No. 6 Parkland 4,  Jefferson 8  (7 innings) 
 
The Cobras fell behind in the first inning and were never able to gain a lead. A Vikings 2-run home run helped the visitors build a 5-0 lead by the middle of the third. David Ascencio (1 HR, 3 RBI) belted a 3-run homer in the bottom half, helping Parkland pull to within one, at 4-5. Jefferson then pulled away with back-to-back long balls in the fifth, and then added the final run in the seventh.
 
Tyler Heidkamp (0-1) started for Parkland and took the loss, pitching 4 innings and giving up 5 runs. He allowed 6 hits, walking 1 and striking out 8. Collin Salter (2 IP, 2 R, 2 H, 1 BB) and Ari Gordon (1 IP, 2 H, 2 SO) came in in relief.