FORT MYERS, Fla. – The No. 6 ranked Parkland College Softball team faced an early-season test at No. 3 Division I Florida Southwestern State on Thursday, March 16th, as the Cobras lost two games against the Buccaneers. Sophomore Bri Roloff launched a home run for the lone Parkland run in the 4-1 game one loss, and freshman Grace Bushur hit her first homer of the season in the 5-1 loss in game two. Freshman Ellie Vetter struck out five batters in two appearances on Thursday.
Up next, the Cobras return to Chain of Lakes Park tomorrow, March 17th, for the final three games of their spring break road trip. Parkland College faces Bismark State College (0-4) at 9:00 AM EST on Friday before two games against No. 7 DIII Suffolk County Community College (3-1) at 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM.
Game 1: No. 3 DI Florida Southwestern State 4, No. 6 Parkland College 1
Parkland fell behind early as Florida Southwestern State took a 1-0 lead on a groundout in the 1st inning. The Buccaneers scored three runs in the 3rd, and despite a Jaidi Davis (1-3) double in the 4th, the Cobras struggled to score with runners in scoring position. Parkland still trailed 4-0 in the top of the 6th when third basemen Bri Roloff homered on a fly ball to left field to cut the deficit to three. The Cobras had runners on second and third base in the top of the 7th, but they couldn’t complete the rally, and Parkland lost 4-1.
Starting pitcher Karley Yergler (8-6) struck out five in four innings of work, allowing nine hits and four runs in the loss. Freshman Ryleigh Owens did not allow a hit in two innings of relief, striking out four of the six batters she faced in game one.
Game 2: No. 3 DI Florida Southwestern State 5, No. 6 Parkland 1
The Cobras jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the 1st after left fielder Grace Bushur lifted a solo home run over the left field wall on the third pitch she saw. The Buccaneers took a 3-1 lead on a 3-RBI single in the 4th, and Florida Southwestern scored two runs in the bottom of the 5th to extend the lead. Parkland threatened to score late, but the visitors couldn’t knock in another run in a 5-1 loss in game two.
Freshman Ryleigh Owens (4-1) started her third game of the season in the loss, allowing two earned runs on five hits and striking out six in four innings of work. Bloomington, Illinois native Ellie Vetter relieved Owens in the fifth, allowing two hits and two earned runs in two innings.
