EAST PEORIA, Ill. – The No. 3 ranked Parkland College Softball team split a road doubleheader on Friday, April 14th, as the Cobras went 1-1 at Illinois Central College in a Region 24 match-up. The Cobras (35-9) dropped game one 5-1 to the Cougars (15-11) before winning 8-1 in game two. Shortstop Lizzie Stiverson hit her second home run of the season, and starting pitcher Ryleigh Owens (9-1) struck out 11 in the game-two win.
Up next, Parkland returns home tomorrow, Saturday, April 15th, to resume conference play against Heartland Community College on Sophomore Day. First pitch against the Hawks (8-18) (3-9) is scheduled for noon on Saturday.
Game 1: Illinois Central College 5, No. 3 Parkland College 1
The Cobras trailed 1-0 after an ICC solo home run in the bottom of the 1st inning. Parkland kept the Cougars within striking distance, and the Cobras tied the game in the top of the 5th. Illinois Central responded in the bottom half, scoring four runs to pull away, and Parkland lost 5-1. The Cougars outhit the Cobras 9-6 in game one loss.
Freshmen Karley Yergler (16-7) allowed four earned runs on nine hits over six innings, striking out eight in the loss.
Game 2: No. 3 Parkland 8, ICC 1
Parkland did not waste any time in game two, taking a 2-0 lead in the top of the 1st inning on a 2-RBI single from Jaidi Davis (2-3, 2 RBI, 2 R, BB) and Emma Mason (3-3, 2B, 2 RBI, R) made it 3-0 with an RBI double in the next at-bat. Shortstop Lizzie Stiverson (1-3, HR, 3 R, BB) lifted a solo home run over the left field wall, and Katy Hendricks (1-2, RBI, BB) walked in a run in the 3rd to give the Cobras a 5-0 lead. Illinois Central got one run back in the 5th, but Parkland answered with three more in the top of the 6th, and the Cobras cruised to an 8-1 bounce-back win in game two.
Ryleigh Owens (7.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 11 K) allowed just two hits and one earned run in the complete game on Friday evening, striking out 11 in her ninth win of the season.
