Parkland College

After a four delay and a change in venue, the Parkland Softball team finally opened play in the Region 24 Tournament. The Cobras split 2 games at the Region 24 tournament played Monday at the Eastside Center in East Peoria. PC won game one 4-2 vs. Lincoln and lost 5-4 against ICC.

Game 1 PC 4 Lincoln 2

Taylor Hull (12-4) got the win on the mound striking out 8, walking none and allowing only 3 hits. Hull's only blemish on the day was giving up a 2 run home run in the top of the 6th inning. PC opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st, as Paige Roytek scored from 3rd on a wild pitch. In the 3rd Jordan Wheeler doubled, Rae Braden walked, Erin Hettinger was safe on an error by the shortstop to load the bases. Harley Tompkins stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and 2 outs and ripped a double to right center driving in 3 runs. Lauren Klein and Alex Jacobs had 2 hits each in the win.


Game 2 ICC 5 PC 4

Trailing 4-1 in the top of the 7th, the Cobras exploded for 3 runs to tie the game on Marlee Sulsberger's 3 run HR over the left center field fence. Rae Braden opened the inning with a single to left, followed by Tana Rentschler's double and Erin Hettinger's walk to load the bases. PC then hit into a 1-2-3 double play, setting the stage for Sulsberger's smash. ICC got the win in the bottom of the 7th, with the bases loaded and no outs, the Cougar's won on a hit to right field. PC trailing 1-0 in the top of the 5th, Erin Hettinger hit her 4th home run of the year to tie the game. Ali Kimble (12-4) took the loss on the mound.


Parkland will continue region tournament play today at 2 pm at East Peoria. Cobras will play Lincoln Land at 2 pm, win that game they will play the loser of the Heartland/ICC game. Win that game they will play the winner of the HCC/ICC game. Parkland must win at least two games on Tuesday for their season to continue.

The Cobras extended their win streak to 14 games by defeating the U of I Club team 10-2 & 3-2 Monday at the Snake Pit.

Game 1: PC 10 U of I Club 2 5 innings

Behind Alison Kimble's (12-3) 5 hit, 4 strikeout pitching performance, the Cobras scored in all but one inning for the win. PC jumped on top in the 1st with 2 outs and no one on with consecutive singles by Jordan Wheeler, Rae Braden, Tana Rentschler and Erin Hettinger, scoring 2 runs. In the 2nd with 2 on, Wheeler drove a 3 run home run over the left center field fence, her 7th of the year. With the score 6-2 Parkland in the bottom of the 4th and 2 on, Tana Rentschler towered a ball over the left field fence for her 2nd home run of the year. The offense was lead by Wheeler 3-3 with 2 runs scored to go along with a home run and 4 RBI. Rentschler added 2 hits including a HR and 3 RBI and Paige Roytek had 2 hits and scored twice.

Game 2: PC 3 U of I Club 2

Game 2 was a pitcher's duel with the Cobras once again coming out on top. With PC trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the 4th, Erin Hettinger on 3rd and 2 outs, Hunter Marsh stepped to the plate and drove a ball over the left field fence for a 2 run HR, which turned out to be the gane winning runs. The home run was Marsh's 3rd HR of the season and made a winner out of Jordan Wheeler (9-0) who pitched the 1st 4 innings to earn the win and Tab Davis picked up the save throwing the last 3 shutout innings.

PC wraps up the regular season with a 37-9 record and will open Region tournament play Thursday at 4:30 vs Lincoln College at The Roundhouse Softball Complex in Mattoon, Il.

The Parkland Cobras wrapped up M-WAC and Region 24 play with a sweep at Lincoln College Saturday 12-0 and 7-3
The wins give PC 12 straight victories on the season.

Game 1: PC 12 LC 0 5 inning run rule

Cobra pitcher Alison Kimble (11-3) had complete control of the Lynx bats and Parkland scored in every inning en route to a five inning game ended by the run rule. Kimble had a 4 hit, 8 strike out, 1 walk performance in picking up her 11th win of the season. Parkland's offense was led by Alex Jacobs with 2 hits and and RBI and Kelsey Kniepmann with a 3run homer over the left center field fence.

PC 113 52 12 8 0
LC 000 00 0 4 5

WP Kimble 11-3 PC
LP Jordan LC

HR PC Kniepmann 3



Game 2 PC 7 LC 3 game called after 5 1/2 innings due to rain

Lincoln College started off strong, with a 3 run homer in the 1st off the bat of Jess Dorgan. That was all the Lynx could manage facing Taylor Hull (11-4) who shut Lincoln down the rest of the way on 4 hits while striking out six. The Cobras got on the board in the 2nd with a lead off single from Erin Hettinger, a stolen base and an RBI single from Harley Tompkins. The score was 3-1 going into the top of the 4th, when Hettinger walked and Lauren Klein hit her 3rd HR of the year to right center to tie the game. Kelsey Kniepmann followed Klein's HR with a double and was driven in by the next hitter Paige Roytek. The game was put out of reach in the top of the 6th, when Rae Braden stepped to the plate with pinch runners Shelby Franzen and Abbey McElwee on base, and she hit a laser shot over the right center field fence for her 7th HR on the year. Klein lead the offense with 3 hits including a single, double, home run, and 2 RBI.
PC 010 303 7 7 2
LC 300 00 3 4 2

WP Hull 11-4 PC
LP West LC

HR Klein 4 Braden 7 PC
Dorgan LC

Parkland now stands at (35-9 20-4) while Lincoln drops to (9-22 5-15). PC will wrap up the regular season on Monday when they host the UI Club Team starting at 3:00. The doubleheader will be the Cobras final two home games of the season.

The Cobras continue their winning ways by sweeping Robert Morris College of Springfield 7-0 and 13-3. The victories run the PC winning streak to 10 games.

Game 1: PC 7 RMU 0

Jordan Wheeler (8-0), behind errorless ball, threw a two hitter against the Eagles striking out 5 and walking 2. Wheeler also helped herself at the plate collecting 2 hits and 2 RBI. Paige Roytek also got 2 hits and scored a run. Rae Braden, Alex Jacobs and Lauaren Klein each drove in a run. Taking at least a double or triple away from an Eagle hitter, Hunter Marsh made a diving catch of a line drive down the right field line to highlight the Cobras strong play on defense.


Game 2: PC 13 RMU 3

Matching the Cobras 1st game performance, Tab Davis (5-2) threw her own 2 hitter, striking out 4 walking while walking 3. Erin Hettinger had 3 hits and, 4 RBI. Paige Roytek also had 3 hits including a double and a triple.,scored three times and drove in four. Alex Jacobs, Shelby Franzen and Abbey McElwee all collected 2 hits each in the game.

The wins move #9 Parkland to (33-9 18-4) ahead of their final M-WAC series of the season on Saturday at noon in Lincoln against the Lincoln College Lynx. After an off day Sunday, the Cobras will host the UI Club Team at 3:00 Monday to wrap up the regular season.

The Loggers scored their lone run of the day in the 1st inning on a PC error. The Cobras struck back in the 2nd with one out Erin Hettinger tripled and Marlee Sulsberger drove her in with a single. Alex Jacobs followed with a singl to center and with runners on 1st and 2nd, Kelsey Kniepmann tripled to right field driving in Hettinger and Sulsberger.

Leading 5-1 in the 4th, Paige Roytek stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and drove a rocket through the wind to dead center field for a grand slam. This was Roytek's 8th home run of the year. Taylor Hull (10-4) had complete control of the Loggers, facing 28 batters and allowing 5 hits, 0 walks and striking out 5. Offensive standouts for the Cobras were Kelsey Kniepmann with 3 hits, a triple, 1 run scored and 2 RBI. Erin Hettinger had 2 hits and 2 runs scored with a double and triple while Alex Jacobs had 2 hits and 2 runs scored.


Game 2: PC 1 LLCC 0

Alison Kimble (9-3) got the win on the mound striking out 7, walking 2 and giving up only 3 hits. The Cobras scored the winning run in the 4th with 2 outs, Harley Tompkins drove in Rae Braden from 2nd with a single to center. Down 1-0, LLCC threatened in the 6th getting their first two runners on base but an infield pop-up and two strikeouts ended the threat. Lauren Klein had 2 hits including a double.

Parkland improves to (31-9 18-4) while Lincoln Land falls to (19-23 13-11). PC hits the road on Friday to face Robert Morris and travel to Lincoln College on Saturday to wrap up M-WAC play. PC has added a home doubleheader for Monday against the UI Club Team, game time is 3:00.

On a day where the Parkland Softball team honored their eight sophomores, the Cobras took both ends of a double header from John Wood, winning 5-2 and 6-3.

Game 1: PC 5 JW 2

Alison Kimble (8-3) was never in any trouble holding JW to 7 hits, 6 k and 1 walk enroute to her 8 victory of the year. Kelsey Kniepmann opened the game with a triple to right center and later scored on a passed ball. With the score 1-0 going into the bottom of the 4th, the Cobras collected 5 hits resulting in 3 runs. With runners on 1st & 2nd, Alex Jacobs stepped to the plate and delivered a triple to right center driving in two runs. Lauren Klein followed Jacobs with a single driving in Jacobs. Klein hit a solo HR in the 6th to complete the scoring for PC.

Game 2: PC 6 JW 3

Taylor Hull (9-3) continued her strong presence on the mound for the Cobras allowing JW 7 hits, 5 k, 0 walks, and 2 earned runs. Kelsey Kniepmann opened the game with a walk, stole 2nd went to 3rd on a passed ball, and scored on Rae Braden's single. The 3rd inning was big for Parkland scoring 5 runs on 6 consecutive hits. The big blow came on Braden's 3 run home run. Tana Rentschler and Erin Hettinger followed with back to back doubles. Braden had 2 hits and 4 RBI, while Rentschler and Hettinger each had two hits in the win.

The wins improve Parkland to (27-9 14-4) while the Blazers fall to (17-13 9-7) The Cobras next games are Monday at 3 pm at Spoon River in Canton, Illinois.

The Parkland College Softball team used a walk-off home run from Rae Braden in game two to complete a sweep of visiting Lewis and Clark. PC won the game 7-6 after taking the opener 8-1 at the Snake Pit.


Game 1: PC 8 L&C 1

Jordan Wheeler (6-0) threw a five hitter, striking out six, and walking none in the win. Wheeler's defense played error free ball behind her and the offense pounded out 12 hits. Erin Hettinger hit a 2 run home run in the 6th, her third of the season. Wheeler, Rae Braden and Tana Rentschler each collected two hits apiece. With the bases loaded in the first, Alex Jacobs drove a shot over the head of the right fielder for a triple, to cap a five run opening inning.


Game 2: PC 7 L&C 6

With the score tied 6-6 in the bottom of the 7th, Rae Braden stepped to the plate to lead off the inning and drove a walk-off home run deep over the left center field fence for the win. The home run was Braden's 4th of the year. Paige Roytek hit her 7th HR and went 4-4 at the plate while Jordan Wheeler had 3 hits and 1 RBI. Harley Tompkins also contributed 2 runs batted in for the winning Cobras. Tab Davis started the game for PC but was the victim of shaky fielding as the Blazers scored three unearned runs on three Cobra errors. Taylor Hull (8-3) relieved Davis in the 7th with the go-ahead run on first and nobody out. Hull retired all three hitter's she faced, including two by strikeout, to keep L&C off the board.

Parkland is now (25-9 12-4) on the season while Lewis and Clark drops to (7-23 4-14). PC returns to action on Sunday for Sophomore Day when the Cobras host John Wood in another important M-WAC doubleheader.

With first place in the M-WAC on the line, Heartland swept the Cobras on Sunday to take control of both the conference title and the top seed in the Region tournament.

Game 1:  PC 0 HCC 1

Taylor Hull (7-4) threw a strong game for the Cobras but was defeated by the Hawks. Cobras could only mange 1 hit in the game a 7th inning 2 out triple by Erin Hettinger. This brought up Marlee Sulsberger who lofted a drive to right field, where it was caught on the warning track for the games final out. Hull allowed 6 hits, 1 walk and 5 strike outs while her defense played errorless ball.


Game 2:  PC 3 HCC 20

The game started out on a bad note with the first two batters walking, followed by a sacrifice, and then a 3 run homer. The Hawks had 3 home runs in the game to go along with 5 other extra base hits. Alison Kimble (7-3) took the loss on the mound. while Jordan Wheeler and Taylor Hull fared no better in her relief. Erin Hettinger had a single, double, run scored, a run batted in, and a stolen base to lead the Cobra offense.

Parkland (23-9 10-4) is scheduled to return to action this Wednesday at Olney and our on the road Thursday with a pair of games at Spoon River. The Cobras will be at home for six consecutive games this weekend as they host Kankakee at 2:30 on Friday, Lewis and Clark at 1:00 on Saturday, and face John Wood at 1:00 on Sunday. HCC is now (34-10 11-1).

Parkland took both games 3-2 & 3-0 from visiting NJCAA D-1 Olney Central College. The victories move PC to 23-7 on the season.

Game 1 PC 3 Olney 2

Olney scored a run in the top of the 1st on a home run by Samantha Ledbetter but PC tied it in their half of the inning on a double by Paige Roytek and a triple from Abbey McElwee. The Knights scored another run in the 2nd and the score remained 2-1 until the bottom of the 6th when with 2 outs Lauren Klein doubled to left center. With Shelby Franzen, running for Klein, she came home on Alison Kimble's double to right center. With the score tied in the bottom of the 7th, McElwee led off the inning with a single (her 4th hit of the game), stole 2nd, and then went to 3rd on Rae Braden single. McElwee got caught in a run down between 3rd and home and was tagged out, with Braden advancing to 3rd. Erin Hettinger then stepped to the plate with one out and delivered a sac fly to center field scoring Braden with the winning run. McElwee finished 4 for 4 with 3 stolen bases, while Paige Roytek , Alex Jacobs, Lauren Klein and Ali Kimble all doubled in the game. Alison Kimble (6-2) held the Knights to 4 hits while striking out 6 walking 3, and giving up 1 earned run.

OCC 110 000 0 2 4 0
PC 100 001 1 3 11 4

WP Kimble 6-2 PC
LP Hadley OCC

HR Ledbetter OCC


Game 2 PC 3 OCC 0

Taylor Hull (7-3) continued the strong performances on the mound by the Cobras, shutting out OCC on 4 hits with 8 strikeouts and just 1 walk. PC opened the scoring in the 2nd when Tana Rentschler, scored on Marlee Sulsberger's two-out single. The Cobras added another run in the 3rd, when Shelby Franzen scored from 3rd base on a sac fly by Rae Braden. PC added an insurance run in the 5th when Paige Roytek opened the inning with a single, stole 2nd and 3rd and slid home safely on a well executed suicide squeeze bunt by Braden. Franzen and Kelsey Kniepmann both collected 2 hits in the game.

OCC 000 000 0 0 4 2
PC 011 010 X 3 5 3

WP Hull 7-3 PC
OCC Harrelson OCC

PC swept Lincoln College Sunday 11-2 in 6 innings and 10-9 in 9 innings. This was the second extra inning victory for the Cobras in the last two days.

Game 1 PC 11 LC 2

Jordan Wheeler (5-0) got the win on the mound giving up 8 hits, 1 k, 0 walks and 2 earned runs. The Cobra bats were quiet the first 4 innings scoring just a lone tally in the 1st and 3rd. In the 5th PC plated 3 runs with a 2 RBI home run by Rae Braden to right center. The Lynx came back in their half of the 6th with 2 runs on 3 hits. PC closed out the game with 6 runs in the bottom of the 6th to win by the run rule. With the bases loaded,, Lincoln changed pitchers and she was greeted by Braden's three run double to center and Tana Rentschler's two run homer to left field to end the game. Kelsey Kniepmann was 3 for 3 with 3 runs scored, Paige Roytek 3 for 3 with 2 runs scored and Braden with 2 hits and 5 runs batted in.

LC 000 002 2 8 1
PC 101 036 11 11 2

WP Wheeler 5-0 PC
LP Jordan LC

HR Braden 2 Rentschler 1


Game 2 PC 10 LC 9

For the 2nd time in two days the Cobras had to go to extra inning to win the game. In the top half of the 7th inning, trailing 7-5 with two out and no one on base, the Lynx rallied. A Lincoln single and a drive over the right center field fence tied the game and sent the contest to extra innings. Going into the international tie breaker in the 8th, LC scored a single tally. In the Cobras half of the inning, with Paige Roytek on 2nd, Taylor Hull laid down a sac bunt to move her to 3rd, and Rae Braden laid down a perfect suicide squeeze to score Roytek. Rentschler walked with Abbey McElwee running for her stole 2nd and advanced to 3rd when she got caught in a rundown. McElwee tried to go home on a pass ball but was tagged out on a disputed call by the Cobras. Tied at 8, LC scored a run in their half of the 9th, but in true Cobra style. they came right back and scored 2 runs with 2 outs. Erin Hettinger was on 2nd base and Alex Jacobs singled putting runners on 1st & 3rd, Marlee Sulsberger sac bunted Jacobs to 2nd and with 2 outs Kelsey Kniepmann hit a single up the middle to score both Hettinger and Jacobs for the win. Kelsey Kniepmann finished an outstanding day with 3 more hits and 2 RBI. Braden had 3 hits and 5 RBI,giving her 10 on the afternoon. Erin Hettinger and Alex Jacobs both collected 2 hits as the Cobras pounded out 13 in the win. Tab Davis (4-2) pitched the complete game to earn the victory.

LC 020 120 211 9 10 2
PC 202 300 012 10 13 4

WP Davis 4-2
LP Garrison

HR Braden 3 Hettinger 2 PC
Hewitt LC

PC 21-7 10-2
LC 7-14 3-11

This weeks schedule

Monday vs Olney 2 pm @ PC
Wednesday vs Lincoln Trail 2 pm @ PC
Thursday vs ICC 3 pm @ PC
Saturday vs Illinois Club Team 1 pm @ PC
Sunday vs Heartland 1 pm @ PC

With the wind blowing straight in from right center at 25-30 mph and with gusts up to 40, the Cobras took 2 games from the Loggers 3-2 in 9 innings and 5-1.

Game 1 PC 3 LLCC 2 9 innings

PC scored a run in the 2nd on back to back triples into the right field corner from Rae Braden and Tana Rentschler. The score remained 1-0 until the 5th when LLCC scored a run on a Cobra throwing error. The international tie breaker went into effect in the 8th as Kelsey Kniepmann was put on 2nd, sacrificed to 3rd by Paige Roytek, and driven home by Jordan Wheeler's single to left. The Loggers tied it in their half of the 7th on another throwing error by the Cobras. PC won the game in the 9th with Braden on 2nd, a sac bunt by Rentschler, and the game winning RBI off the bat of Erin Hettinger. Taylor Hull (6-3) was great on the mound today finishing with her Parkland career high of 15 strikeouts.

PC 010 000 011 3 7 4
LLCC 000 010 010 2 6 1

WP Hull 6-3 PC
LP Dubree LLCC

Game 2 PC 5 LLCC 1

The game was scoreless until the PC half of the 4th when the Cobras exploded for 5 runs on 5 hits, 1 walk and an error. Tana Rentschler opened the inning with a single, followed by Erin Hettinger single, then an RBI single from Alex Jacobs. a run scoring error by LLCC and a bases loaded triple to right center by Paige Roytek accounted for the final three runs. The Loggers scored their lone run in the bottom of the 5th. Ali Kimble (6-2) had complete control of the Loggers allowing just 1 run on 7 hits, striking out 5 and walking none.

PC 000 500 0 5 8 1
LLCC 000 010 0 1 7 3

WP KImble 6-2 PC
LP Lange LLCC

Parkland 19-7 8-2

LLCC 11-15 6-3

The Cobras traveled to Quincy on Tuesday to play the make-up of the snowed out games against John Wood. PC made easy work of the Blazers in game 1 winning 10-1 in 5 innings, but had to come from behind in the 2nd game for a 11-9 win.

Game 1 PC 10 JW 1 5 innings

The Cobras jumped out to a 2-1 lead after one inning and never looked back. Kelsey Kniepmann got the scoring started in the 1st on a double and was driven in by Jordan Wheeler's single. In the 2nd, Alex Jacobs drove a ball off the 220' sign in center field for an inside the park home run. This was Jacobs 1st college home run. This was followed up by Marlee Sulsberger's double, Harley Tompkins single, Kniepmann's sac fly and an RBI single from Paige Roytek. The Cobra's were held scoreless for the next two innings but broke it open in their half of the 5th with 5 runs. PC had 5 hits in the inning highlighted by Jacobs 2 run triple and Tompkins double. Jordan Wheeler 3-0 allowed JW 1 run in the 1st and then shut them down facing only 14 batters in the next 4 innings. She struck out 5 walked none and allowed just 4 hits.


PC 230 05 10 14 1
JW 100 00 1 4 2

HR Jacobs (1) PC

WP Wheeler 3-0
LP Hollocner


Game 2 PC 11 JW 9

Parkland had to come from behind in the 6th inning with 6 runs and won the hard fought contest with 2 runs in the 7th to get the victory. Trailing 5-3 in the top of the 6th, PC scored 6 runs on 4 hits. Erin Hettinger and Rae Braden both had 2 run doubles in the inning. Down 9-5 in the bottom of the 6th, JW scored 4 runs on 4 hits to tie the game up headed to the final inning. With the score tied 9-9, Kniepman doubled and Paige Roytek walked. Jordan Wheeler broke the tie with a sac fly to right field scoring Kniepmann and Braden followed with a sacrifice fly of her own to make it 11-9. Taylor Hull, in relief of starter Tab Davis put JW down in order in the bottom of the 7th, to earn the victory. The Cobra offense was lead by Braden with 2 hits and 4 RBI while Hettinger had 2 hits and drove in a pair of runs.

PC 111 006 2 11 11 2
JW 14 004 0 9 12 4

WP Hull 5-2


Parkland 14-6 4-2
John Wood 8-6 2-2

Cobras play Wednesday at ICC 3 pm, Thursday vs Spoon River 3 pm at Parkland, Saturday at Lincoln Land 1 pm and Sunday vs Lincoln 1 pm at Parkland.

The #6 ranked Cobras dropped two games to #4 ranked Heartland Saturday Losing to the Hawks 2-1 and 6-2. The loss continues a season of streaks for the Cobras who lost their first three games before reeling of twelve straight wins, and have now lost three in a row again.


Game 1 PC 1 HCC 2

With the score tied 1-1 in the bottom of the 7th, HCC used 3 singles and a sacrifice to win the game 2-1. The Hawks scored their first run in the bottom of the 1st on 3 consecutive singles and a bases loaded walk. The Cobras tied the score in the 5th on a walk to Rae Braden, a passed ball, and an RBI single from Tana Rentschler. Rentschler opened up the top of the 7th with a single, but the Hawks got the next 3 batters on infield outs. Rentschler led the offense with 2 hits and an RBI. Ali Kimble (4-2) took the loss for the Cobras.

Game 2 PC 2 HCC 6

The Cobras were their own worst enemy in game two, committing 5 infield errors which resulted in 5 unearned runs. The Hawks scored 3 runs on 2 errors in the 1st, added one more in the 3rd on an error, and 2 runs in the 6th with only 1 being earned. Not only did PC hurt themselves in the field, they also did not help themselves at the plate as the Cobras left 9 runners in scoring position with less than 2 outs. PC had 5 hits and 9 walks but could not take advantage of the base runners. Taylor Hull (4-2) was the losing pitcher for PC, striking out 3, walking 1, and giving up 7 hits.

Parkland drops to (12-6 2-2) while Heartland improves to (23-7 4-0). The Hawks have now won 13 straight and 20 of their last 21. After Easter Sunday off, the Cobras start their busiest week of the season playing 12 games between now and next Sunday. PC will be at home Monday at 2:00 vs Olney Central and will also play in Champaign on Thursday and Saturday. Parkland will be on the road Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.

The Cobras traveled to Kankakee for a twin bill Thursday, where the teams split, Parkland won game one 5-4 and dropped the night cap 11-8.

Game 1 PC 5 KCC 4

Parkland jumped off to a 3 -0 lead after 2 innings on the power of Kelsey Kniepmann's 3 run homer to right center. Erin Hettinger and Marlee Sulsberger each singled to be on base for Kniepmann. Still leading 3-0 going into the top of the 5th, Paige Roytek lead off with a single, which brought Jordan Wheeler up who launched a towering drive over the left field fence. The Cavaliers scored 1 in the bottom of the 5th with a HR from McNultry. KCC rallied in the bottom of the 7th, trailing 5-1 , on a 3 run homer from Coy. Roytek and Sulsberger each had 2 hits for PC. Alison Kimble (4-1) then got the last 2 outs of the game to get the win.

PC 030 020 0 5 10 0
KCC 000 010 3 4 8 1

HR Kniepmann (2) Wheeler (5) PC
HR McNUltry Coy KCC

WP PC Kimble 4-1
LP KCC Harper

Game 2 PC 8 KCC 11

The Cavaliers came out swinging their bats with the first 5 batters reaching base and scoring of Tab Davis (2-2). Taylor Hull relieved Davis and got the next three batters to end the inning. KCC scored 2 more in the 2nd and 1 in the 3rd. Trailing 8-0 going into the top of the 4th and having only 1 hit, the Cobras came to life with 5 hits and 4 runs. Rae Braden, Erin Hettinger and Lauren Klein doubled in the inning. Jordan Wheeler hit her 2nd home run of the day with a solo shot in the 5th. In the bottom of the 5th KCC plated 3 more runs making 11-5. In Cobra fashion the team did not fold, but put 3 more runs on the board but could not overcome their slow start. Tana Rentschler led the offense with 3 hits, 1 rbi, Rae Braden had 2 hits and Abby Immke drove in 2 runs.


PC 000 413 0 8 11 2
KCC 521 030 X 11 14 1

HR Wheeler (6) PC
HR McNamee Donley KCC

LP Davis 2-2
WP Coy


Next games will be Saturday at Heartland, 4:45 first pitch. The games will be played at the corn Crib in Normal, Il

Hunter Marsh. Kelsey Kniepmann lead the offense with 3 hits, 1 double, and 2 runs scored, Tana Rentschler collected 2 hits, 2 RBI, and 2 runs, while Sulsberger had 2 hist including a double with 2 runs scored. Jordan Wheeler and Erin Hettinger both drove in 2 runs for Parkland.

Millikin JV 000 01 1 3 0
Parkland 200 52 9 14 1

WP Hull 4-1
LP Wersen


Game 2 PC 6 Milikin JV 4

The Cobras jumped out to a 5-1 lead after the 2nd inning but Millikin kept chipping away at the lead to make it 5-4 at the end of 5. Tab Davis 2-1 got the win but was not helped by a defense that committed 3 errors. Jordan Wheeler entered in relief of Davis in the 5th, and shut down the Millikin offense to earn the save. The Cobras added an insurance run in the 5th on an error by Millikin. Wheeler, Tana Rentschler,Shelby Franzen and Carly Sarff each had a hit and an RBI for the victorious Cobras.

Millikin JV 102 010 0 4 7 2
Parkland 410 010 X 6 8 3

WP Davis 2-1 Save-Wheeler
LP Morgan


Parkland will not hit the road for four games to open the M-WAC part of their schedule. PC will play at Lewis and Clark on Saturday and travel to John Wood on Sunday, weather permitting.

Coming off a 7-3 trip to Florida the Parkland Softball team will play their first home games of the season when they host the Millikin University JV starting at 2:00 on Saturday. After 10 games the Cobras are hitting .375 as a team with 12 home runs and 76 runs batted in. They are also an impressive 27 of 28 in stolen bases.

 

PC pitching has been strong as well compiling a 2.66 earned run average while walking just 17 hitters in 58 innings of work. Individually, Taylor Hull has paced the pitching staff going 3-1 with a 1.54 ERA, walking one hitter while striking out 15. At the plate, several players have done well, but Jordan Wheeler .469 3 HR and 11 RBI and Paige Roytek 3 HR 11 RBI and 14 runs scored, have helped pace the attack.

 

PC will open up M-WAC play this weekend on the road as they travel to Lewis and Clark on Saturday and John Wood on Sunday.

On their last day in Florida, the Cobras took both ends of the doubleheader from Iowa Central extending their winning streak to 7 games.

Game 1 PC 2 Iowa Central 1

Alison Kimble (2-1), pitched an excellent game, allowing Iowa Central just 1 run on 5 hits striking out five and walking none. The Cobras scored their 2 runs in the 3rd with a walk to Paige Roytek and back to back singles from Jordan Wheeler and Tana Rentschler to load the bases. Lauren Klein stepped to the plate and singled up the middle scoring Roytek and Wheeler. IC's lone run came in the top of the 7th with leadoff back to back singles scoring their run on an infield out. With the tying run on 3rd and 2 outs, the Tritons tried a suicide squeeze, but PC got the runner caught in a rundown and tagged her out the end the game. Hunter Marsh led PC offense with 2 hits.

IC 000 000 1 1 5 0
PC 002 000 x 2 7 2

WP Kimble 2-1
LP Brackey


Game 2 PC 13 IC 1

Cobra pitching picked up right where it left off in the first game with Taylor Hull (3-1) allowing IC only 4 hits and striking out 4. The Tritons only run came in the bottom of the 1st on back to back Cobra errors. The single tally wasn't nearly enough for Iowa Central as the Cobras opened up the top of the inning plating 8 runs on 8 hits to go along with 3 walks. In the 2nd PC added 4 more runs on 3 hits with the big blast a 3 run double by Jordan Wheeler. Wheeler also towered a ball over the left center field fence for a solo home run in the 5th. In the game Wheeler had 3 hits and 5 runs batted in. PC also received a strong game at the plate from Kelsey Kniepmann who had 3 hits and Carly Sarff who collected 2 hits and 3 RBI. Parkland (7-3) will return to action on March 19 at Lindenwood University and hope to open at home on March 21 against the Millikin University JV.


PC 840 01 13 12 4
IC 100 00 1 4 2

WP Hiull 3-1
LP Van DenBerg

The Parkland Softball team extended their winning streak to 5 games on Thursday defeating Jefferson Davis CC 12-1 and 9-8.

Game 1 PC 12 JD 1

PC jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 1st on a walk to Kelsey Kniepmann and an RBI sac fly from Jordan Wheeler. Tab Davis 1-1 got the win despite getting off to a rough start before settling down and shutting down the JD offense.. With the score 1-0 in the 3rd, the Cobras added 5 runs on 2 hits and 4 walks. In the 5th PC added 5 more runs with Paige Roytek hitting a 2 run home run over the left center field fence. Parkland scored 12 runs on 13 hits with Jordan Wheeler and Tana Rentschler each collecting 3 hits while scoring twice and driving in a pair of runs. Paige Roytek and Erin Hettinger also had 2 hits and Taylor Hull added a double and 2 runs batted in.

PC 105 15 12 13 0
JD 001 00 1 6 1

WP Davis (P) 1-1 6 hits 4 k 3 bb 1 r 1 er
LP HALL

HR Roytek (P)

Game 2 PC 9 JD 8

Parkland came out flat in game 2, giving up three in the first and trailing 5-1 after four. Jordan Wheeler was the tough luck starter getting touched for six runs, in part due to a struggling Cobra defense. Taylor Hull relieved Wheeler and shut down the host team allowing just two runs while striking out six over the final four innings to pick up the win.

Still down 7-3 in the top of the 6th, the Cobras offense came to life scoring 6 runs on 6 hits including 3 singles and 3 doubles. The big blow coming off the bat of Abby Immke who delivered a bases loaded double to left center. The Warhawks score Abby McElwee collected 2 hits, scored 2 runs, and had 1 RBI,, Shelby Franzen had 2 hits and3 runs driven in, while Tana Rentschler had 2 hits including a run scoring double.

PC 011 016 1 9 11 5
JD 321 101 0 8 9 3

Parkland (5-3) will wrap up their Spring trip with a doubleheader on Friday against Iowa Central (6-2). Jefferson Davis fell to (6-12) with the two defeats.

The # 2 ranked Cobras kept the hitting going on Tuesday with a 9-0 and 9-1 sweep over Carl Sandburg. PC cracked 4 more home runs today to give them 10 over the last three 3 games.

Game 1 PC 9 CSC 0

Alison Kimble (1-1) threw a 3 hitter with no walks against the Chargers. Once again the Cobras scored early, opening up their half of the first with a 2 run home run off the bat of Jordan Wheeler. Then in the PC 2nd, the Cobras started the inning with a base on balls to Erin Hettinger and a single from Lauren Klein. Following a a pair of strikeouts, Kelsey Kniepmann lofted a 3 run HR to left center followed by a solo shot off the bat of Paige Roytek. Kniepmann lead the offense going 3-3 including a double and a home run, 4 RBI, and 3 runs scored.

PC 240 3X 9 8 2
CSC 000 00 0 3 1

PC Kimble (1-1) and Klein
CSC Clear and Mosely


Game 2 PC 9 CSC 1

Taylor Hull followed up Kimble's 3 hitter with a 3 hitter of her own, striking out 4 and issuing no walks. Again the Parkland bats were alive in the 1st inning this time rallying with 2 outs and nobody on base. After the first two hitters were retired, Paige Roytek singled, Jordan Wheeler singled, and Tana Rentschler doubled driving in two. Marlee Sulsberger drove in Rentschler to tack on the third run of the inning. In the 2nd, 3 more runs were scored as Roytek smacked a three run homer. PC scored three more times in the 5th, two coming on a Taylor Hull home run and the final run on a Sandburg error.


PC 330 03 9 12 0
CSC 010 00 1 3 3

PC Hull (1-1) and Klein
CSC Howard and Cole

The Cobras will be off on Wednesday before resuming play on Thursday with a doubleheader at Jefferson Davis College in Brewton, Alabama.

The Parkland College Softball team woke up from an early season slumber in a big way on Monday night as they pounded St. Louis CC 19-1. PC lost to Black Hawk 8-4 earlier in the evening as the Cobra games were moved back about 6 hours due to inclement weather. Scheduled to start at 11 am, PC did not take the field until after 5:00 and the games didnt conclude until well after 10 pm.

In the win over the Archers, St Louis jumped on the board quickly with a solo home run in the first but PC answered back with six runs in the 1st and six more in the 2nd. Paige Roytek got the offense going with a 2 run HR and four batters later Harley Tompkins hit her first collegiate home run, a grand slam. The power surge didn't stop there as Erin Hettinger cracked a three-run home run, and Lauren Klein and Hunter Marsh each hit solo home runs. Parkland banged out 19 hits in the game and played flawlessly in the field. Harley Tompkins paced the attack with 2 hits and 5 RBI, Erin Hettinger added 2 hits and 4 RBI, Lauren Klein had 3 hits annd drove in a pair of runs, while Paige Roytek also had 2 hits and 2 RBI. Winning pitcher Jordan Wheeler (1-0) allowed just one run on three hits while also helping her cause with 3 hits of her own.

STL 100 00 1 3 2
PC 662 5X 19 19 0

The big inning did in PC in the opening game on Monday as the Cobras lost a battle of nationally ranked teams 8-4 to Black Hawk. PC was their own worst enemy as two errors led to four unearned runs. The Braves only scored in two innings but put up four runs in both the second and sixth innings.
Trailing 4-0 headed to the 5th, PC clawed back into the game scoring two in that inning and one more in the 6th. Trailing now by just a run, the Cobras would get no closer, allowing four runs in the bottom of the frame as the Braves would put the game away. Kelsey Kniepmann collected two hits and drove in a run while Jordan Wheeler had 2 hits including a solo home run. Tab Davis was the tough luck loser.

PC 000 021 1 4 8 2
BH 040 004 X 8 6 1

Parkland (1-3) will jump right back into action on Tuesday afternoon when they play Carl Sandburg (2-2) in a 1:00 doubleheader at the University of West Florida.

The Parkland College Softball team opened their trip to Florida on Sunday with a pair of games against Pensacola State College. The Cobras, who had yet to even practice on their field, were taking on an opponent with over 20 games under their belt and even though PC was swept, there were more positives then negatives in the 6-3 and 5-4 defeats.

Game 1 Pensacola State 6 Parkland 3

PSC broke open a 1-0 game in the 3rd with 5 runs on 5 hits and a walk. With one out Pensacola had 5 straight hitters reach base, with all of them scoring. The Cobras were held without a hit for the first four innings until they put together 3 hits in the 5th, scoring 3 times but were unable to score again over their final two at bats. Alison Kimble (0-1) absorbed the loss, pitching 3 innings allowing 6 earned runs on 7 hits and 2 walks. Tab Davis came in relief in the 4th inning shutting down the PCS offense allowing no runs on three hits. Paige Roytek drove in 2 runs with a single and Kelsey Kniepmann drove in the other PC run. Lauren Klein started the 3 run rally with a one out double to right center.

PC 000 030 0 3 3 0
PSC 105 000 X 6 10 1

W Longagnani L Kimble (0-1)


Game 2 Pensacola State 5 Parkland 4

Taylor Hull got the start and pitched 7 strong innings allowing 5 runs, 4 earned, on 9 hits while striking out 2. The Cobras jumped out to a 4-2 lead after 4 innings but could not push across anymore runs while the Pirates tied the game with two in the 5th and won the contest in the bottom of the 7th.

PC scored three times in the 3rd as the inning started with a walk to Abby Immke and a single by Harley Tompkins. The Cobras scored their first run on an RBI sac fly from Kelsey Kniepmann and added two more
as Marley Sulsberger and Tana Rentschler each had RBI single


The Cobras would make it 4-1 in the 4th as Immke lead off with a single and pinch runner Tab Davis scored on Kniepmann's double to right center. The Cobras would load the bases with 1 out and Jordan Wheeler at the plate. Wheeler lined a shot to left center but the left fielder made an outstanding running catch and threw to 3rd to double off Harley Tompkins. With the score tied in the bottom of the 7th, PSC singled, then an error on a bunt and a double over the right fielders head produced the game winning run. The Cobras offense was lead by Sulsberger with 2 hits and an RBI, Tana Rentschler also had 2 hits and a run batted in, and Tompkins collected 2 of Parkland's 9 hits in the game.

PC 003 100 0 4 9 2
PSC 001 120 1 5 9 1


W Longagnani L Hull 0-1

The Pirates who have now won seven straight, improve to (15-8) while PC now stands at (0-2). The Cobras will take on Black Hawk College of Moline (1-0) in a doubleheader on Monday.

 

The Cobra Softball team, coming off a 3rd Place finish at the 2012 National Tournament is ranked #2 just below defending National Champion Phoenix College. PC finished 47-20 last season making their 7th trip to Nationals under Head Coach Chuck Clutts. Clutts, who is starting his 13th season as the Cobras leader, has compiled a career record of (535-188-2). The Cobras return 8 players from last year and will kick off their Spring season on March 5 @ Rend Lake. Parkland will not open at home until March 30 against Heartland but will have 24 home games in the month of April.