Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 EAST PEORIA, Ill. –  No. 24 Parkland College softball won two games at Illinois Central College (13-18) on Sunday, April 6. The Cobras (23-9) held on in the first game to win by one run in extra innings, and then added a few late runs in the second game to emerge victorious. Parkland's bats were explosive in both games, tallying 16 hits in the first game and 10 in the second game, and Claire Black and Lindsey Muskopf each smashed two home runs in the wins. 
 
Game 1: No. 24 Parkland College 8, Illinois Central College 7
The Cobras struck early and hard, jumping to a 6-0 lead by the top of the 3rd inning. Lindsey Muskopf opened the scoring in the 2nd with an RBI single, followed by a two-run homer from Ellie Lowe. Kailee Otto later added to the damage with a run-scoring double, capitalizing on an error in right field. Lowe and Otto added a few more runs in the 3rd, but a grand slam in the bottom of the inning by the Cougars cut the lead to 6-4. The Cougars captured the lead in the bottom of the 6th, but the Cobras came back in the 7th to tie it 7-7 after Nicole Sinks drew a walk. A clutch solo home run from Muskopf in the top of the 8th put the Cobras up 8-7, which was enough to secure the win.

Lowe knocked in three RBI for the Cobras and Muskopf went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead Parkland with three hits. Mya Brown (3 BB, 6 K) pitched five innings, allowing eight hits and four runs. Lucy Fearday (1 BB, 3 K) earned the win, coming in on relief and giving up five hits and three runs. 
 
Game 2: No. 24 Parkland College 11, Illinois Central College 8
The Cobras jumped out to a commanding 4-0 lead in the top of the 1st inning, sparked by two-run home runs from both Claire Black and Lindsey Muskopf. The Cougars answered right back, tying the game at 4-4 in the bottom half of the inning. Black struck again in the 3rd with her second home run of the game, giving Parkland a 6-4 lead. Key hits from Lucy Fearday and Kailee Otto gave the Cobras the 9-4 lead going into the bottom of the inning, but the home team continued to battle and pulled within one run in the 4th inning. Despite their efforts, the Cougars were unable to score again, and Parkland put two more runs on the board in the 7th inning to get the 11-8 win. 

Claire Black (3.0 IP, 1 BB, 0 K) drove in four runs at the plate and also earned the win in the circle, giving up eight hits and eight runs. Lucy Fearday (4.0 IP, 0 R) started on the mound, giving up no hits and striking out one batter. 

Up next, the Cobras play a doubleheader at Danville Area Community College (18-9) on Wednesday, April 9. The first game is scheduled for 3:00 pm in Danville, Illinois.