CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – No. 16 Parkland College Softball (38-5, 14-2 MWAC) swept an MWAC doubleheader with Heartland CC (15-17, 4-8) on Sunday. In game one,
Summer Johnson hit two, 3-run home runs, sparking the Cobras to 14-6 win. In game two, the Hawks led, 12-7, in the middle of the fifth, but, sparked by one of
Reagan Cheely's two long balls, Parkland scored seven unanswered to take the victory.
"What a team effort for both games," exclaimed Co-Head Coach
Dan Paulson. "The second game was a battle, but our hitters remained focused and continued to believe we could score runs. We are extremely proud of the relentless attack this team has. They never give in, and that is fun to coach."
Up next, Parkland travels to Kankakee, Ill., for a nonconference doubleheader against Kankakee CC on Monday, April 19. Game times are 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm.
Game 1: No. 16 Parkland- 14, Heartland- 6 (5 innings)
Heartland scored three in the first inning, but Parkland matched it when
Summer Johnson (2-2, 2 HR, 6 RBI) hit a 3-run home run in the bottom half.
The Cobras pulled away for good in the second when Johnson hit her second 3-run homer of the game, and
Anna Walker (2-4, 2B, 3 RBI) knocked in a fourth run on a single, building a 7-3 lead.
The Hawks plated one in the top of the third, pulling within one, but a 3-run,
Isabel Shafer (3-3, HR, 3 RBI) dinger put Parkland back out in front by six. Heartland scored two in the fourth, to draw within four, but, in the bottom of the fifth, doubles by Walker and
Lizzy Davis (2-4, 2B, RBI), along with a single by
Sydney Eichelberger (2-3, RBI), sparked a 4-run inning that ended the game early.
Emily Senjan (2-2) added a pair of hits for the Cobras, who outhit Heartland, 14-8.
Chayse Ramey (18-1) earned the complete-game victory for Parkland. The righthander lasted all five innings, allowing eight hits and six runs while striking out two.
Game 2: No. 16 Parkland- 14, Heartland- 12 (7 innings)
Parkland was up, 4-2, after one inning but trailed, 5-7, after three. In the fourth, the Cobras were within one, at 7-8, but Heartland scored four in the top of the fifth to lead by seven, at 7-12.
In a big bottom half of the fifth, Parkland scored six, taking the lead for good, thanks, in part, to a
Reagan Cheely (3-4, 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI) homer, a
Taylor Dugger (1-3, 3B, RBI) triple, a
Madison Vogel (3-4, 2B, RBI) double, and a Heartland error.
Sydney Eichelberger (3-5) and
Isabel Shafer (2-3, HR, 2 RBI) each added multiple hits, as the Cobras and Hawks each tallied 16 for the game.
Summer Johnson (1-4, 2 RBI) contributed a pair of RBIs.
Eichelberger (4 IP, 9 H, 8 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 Ks) started on the mound for Parkland, while
Emily Senjan (7-1) was credited with the win. Senjan allowed five hits and four runs (2 earned) over one full inning.
Chayse Ramey (2 H, 2 Ks) threw the final two innings in relief.
