NORMAL, Ill. – No. 13 Parkland College Baseball (33-15, 23-9 MWAC) wrapped up the regular season with two loses to Heartland CC (33-20, 20-12), falling by the scores of 1-3 and 6-14. Game 3 was completed on Saturday night, while game 4 was suspended and then completed on Sunday morning due to malfunctioning lights.
The Cobras finished second in the MWAC standings, behind Lincoln Land CC (28-4 MWAC) and in front of 3rd-place Danville Area CC (20-12 MWAC)
Up next, the Cobras set their sights on the Central District (Region 24) Tournament and an opportunity to qualify for the NJCAA DII Baseball National Championship. The qualifying tournament will take place in Normal, Ill., from May 19-22. Specific dates, times, and opponents are TBA.
Game 3: #13 Parkland- 1, Heartland- 3 (7 innings)
Heartland scored 2 runs in the first inning, and the 2-0 lead held through four innings.
In the fifth, Parkland scored 1, cutting the lead in half, but the Hawks matched it in the sixth, retaking a 2-run lead.
The Cobras were unable to score in the seventh to extend the game.
Tyler Grigalis had a pair of hits for Parkland, and
Zyon Avery had the only RBI.
Matt Parenteau (6-2) took the loss for Parkland, pitching three innings. He allowed two runs on four hits, striking out three.
Brennan Dolwick (2 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 4 Ks) and
Jack Young (1 IP, 1 K) provided relief from the bullpen.
Game 4: #13 Parkland- 6, Heartland- 14 (7 innings)
Heartland scored 7 in the second inning and never trailed. Parkland put up 3 in the third and 1 in the fourth to close to within three, but the Hawks answered with 1 of their own in the fourth and then 4 more in the fifth, building an 11-3 lead. Each team scored 2 in the sixth, but the margin remained unchanged.
Hogan McIntosh (2-4, HR, 3 RBI),
Nicholas Fazzari (1-4, HR, 2 RBI), and
Jimmy Rybarczyk (2-3, RBI) produced the Cobras' runs.
CJ Lewis (0-1) was the losing pitcher for Parkland. He threw for two-thirds of an inning, allowing seven earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out one.
Drew Switzer (2.1 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 1 K),
Ben Catrambone (1.2 IP), and
Tristan Cazel (.1 IP) each saw some time in relief.