CLEARWATER, Fla. – The No. 4 ranked Parkland College Softball team split two games on opening day at the JUCO Kickoff Classic on Friday, January 26, at Eddie C. Moore Park. The Cobras (1-1) dropped their opening game 4-1 to Division I No. 7 Central Florida (1-0) but bounced back with a 4-0 win over Pensacola State College (record). Five different Cobras recorded an RBI on Friday, and sophomore
Ellie Vetter (1-0) allowed just one hit in three innings of work, earning the win.
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Up next, the Cobras take on the State College of Florida and No. 10 (DI) Indian River State College tomorrow, January 27, on day two of the JUCO Kickoff Classic and Showcase. First pitch against SCF (2-0) is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. EST, while first pitch versus The River (0-0) is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. EST.
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Game 1: No. 7 (DI) College of Central Florida 4, No. 4 Parkland College 1
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The Cobras opened the scoring in the top of the 2nd inning when freshman infielder
Alisha Frederick (1-4, RBI) lined a double into right field, driving in
Ellie Vetter (2-3, R). The Patriots responded in the bottom of the third, taking a 2-1 lead, and drove in two more in the fourth. Parkland threatened to answer in the top of the 6th when
Ryleigh Owens (1-3) loaded the bases with no outs, but a double play and a fielder's choice cut down the Cobras' last chance, as the team lost 4-1.
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Sophomore shortstop
Lizzie Stiverson (2-2, BB) reached base three times while sophomore
Karley Yergler (4.0 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 4 K) suffered the loss in her first start – and
Ellie Vetter (2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER) allowed just one base runner in two innings of relief.
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Game 2: No. 4 Parkland College 4, Pensacola State College 0
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Parkland scored on an error and a walk in the top of the 2nd to grab an early 2-0 lead over the Pirates.
Lizzie Stiverson (1-3, RBI, R, BB) drove in leadoff hitter
Mia Ruder (2-4, R) in the 5th inning, and sophomore
Katie Clark (0-3, RBI) reached on an error in the 6th, driving in
Ryleigh Owens (1-3, RBI, R) as the Cobras cruised to a 4-0 win.
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Starting pitcher
Ellie Vetter (3.0 IP, H, 0 ER, 2 K) picked up the win, as sophomore
Ryleigh Owens (4.0 IP, H, 0 ER, 5 K) relieved her in the fourth – striking out five batters in her first appearance.
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