CHAMPAIGN, Ill.—May 8, 2026—The No. 17 Parkland College softball team opened postseason play Friday at the NJCAA Region 24 Championship Tournament by splitting a pair of games, defeating St. Louis Community College 12-4 in five innings before falling to No. 18 Illinois Central College, 1-2.

Parkland 12, St. Louis Community College 4 (5 innings)

The Cobras erupted offensively in the tournament opener, plating 12 runs on 10 hits to earn a run-rule victory over STLCC.

Parkland jumped ahead early with 4 runs in the first inning and added 4 more in the second before sealing the win with another four-run fifth inning.

Lindsey Muskopf and Lainey Klokkenga powered the offense with 2 home runs apiece. Muskopf finished 3-for-4 with 7 RBIs and 3 runs scored, while Klokkenga added 2 hits, 3 RBIs, and 2 runs scored.

Nicole Sinks also homered and drove in a run, and Maddie Gourley crossed the plate 3 times. Ava Simpson scored twice and reached base twice in the win.

In the circle, Lucy Fearday earned the complete-game victory, striking out 9 over 7 innings while allowing just 2 earned runs.

Parkland 1, Illinois Central 2

The Cobras were locked in a tight postseason battle in their second game of the day but came up just short against Illinois Central.

Parkland managed 4 hits in the contest, with Lindsey Muskopf recording the team's lone RBI. Lucy Fearday and Maddie Gourley each doubled for the Cobras.

Fearday was strong in the circle, allowing just 2 runs while striking out 6 across the complete-game effort.

Illinois Central narrowly held onto the lead after scoring once in the fourth and once in the sixth inning, while Parkland's lone run came in the third.

With the split, the Cobras remain alive in the double-elimination NJCAA Region 24 Championship Tournament and will continue postseason play Saturday.