MATTOON, Ill. – The No. 20 Parkland College Baseball team kicked off its 2024 season and first under head coach Zach Pych with an 0-2 opening day at Lake Land College on Friday, February 9. The Cobras fell behind and could not mount a comeback in a 5-1 loss to the Lakers (2-0), and missed opportunities cost the Cobras a 6-3 loss in game two. Sophomore transfers Will Flanigan (3-8, HR) and Jacob Filip (3-5, 2B, BB) led the Parkland offense with three hits on Friday, while Flanigan and Ryan Snell launched the Cobras' first home runs of the season.
 
Up next, the Cobras face St. Louis Community College tomorrow, February 10, in Mattoon, Illinois. First pitch against the Archers (0-0) is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. at Lake Land College.
 
Game One: Lake Land College 5, No. 20 Parkland College 1
 
The Lakers got on the board first, driving in a run in the bottom of the 1st, and added two more in the 3rd. Trailing 4-0 in the top of the 6th, Parkland sophomore Tylor Phommachanhom (1-3, 2B, RBI) lifted an RBI double out to right field, scoring Jacob Filip (1-2, 2B, R, BB) for the Cobras' first run of the year. Lake Land added a run in the bottom of the 6th, and Parkland dropped game one 5-1.
 
At the plate, sophomore Will Flanigan (2-4) led the team with two hits, and redshirt freshman Scott Newman (1-3, 2B) doubled in his first game with the Cobras. Starting pitcher Sam Bryan (0-1) allowed two earned runs on three hits over three innings, striking out six before Jaxon Christensen (2.2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 4 K) relieved him in the 4th.
 
Game Two: Lake Land College 6, No. 20 Parkland College 3
 
The Cobras struck first with a Will Flanigan (1-4, HR) solo home run in the top of the 1st inning, and the visitors added a run in the 2nd, scoring on an error. The Lakers tied the game in the bottom of the 4th, but sophomore Ryan Snell (1-4, HR) lifted a solo home run of his own in the 5th to give the lead back to Parkland. Lake Land took its first lead with a two-run home run in the bottom of the 5th, and the Lakers added two more in the 6th, and the Cobras lost 6-3.
 
Designated hitter Jacob Filip (2-3) and centerfielder Scott Newman (1-3, 2B, RBI, SB) tallied two total bases, and first baseman Michael Carrano Jr. (1-3, R, SB) scored in the loss.
 
Sophomore Will O'Gorman (2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 4 K) faced 11 batters in his first start of the season, and sophomore John Cederburg (1.1 IP, 0 H, 2 ER, 2 BB) replaced him in the 3rd inning. Freshman Alex McHale (0-1) made his Parkland College debut in the loss, along with Alex Vertuno and Lane Lorton.