Game One Box Score

Game Two Box Score

Somers, Wis.- For the second straight day the Rangers faced a one run deficit heading into the final inning against one of the top closers in the GLVC. And for the second straight day the Rangers answered the call.

Parkside put together a two-out rally in the bottom of the seventh of game one to steal their second consecutive walk-off victory. The 2-1 win gave the Rangers their 14th win of the season, one more than all of last year in 12 less games played. They rode that momentum, and the arm of Chris Wolcott, to a 4-1 win in game two and a sweep of Bellarmine University.

The Rangers, who improved to 12-18 in the GLVC (15-26 overall), took three out of four from the Knights (26-22, 18-13 GLVC) who came into the weekend as the Midwest Region's third-ranked team. It's the first time since 2006 the Rangers have swept a doubleheader from Bellarmine.

“Bellarmine's a great program,” said Head Coach Joel Weaver. “When you come in and take three of four from a team like that this late in the season that's no small feat. I'm really proud of our guys because they played exceptionally hard, they really bought in, and it says a lot for what's going to happen here in the future.”

The Rangers trailed 1-0 heading into the bottom of the seventh against Phil Forbis, who entered the game with 11 saves, second-best in the GLVC. Things started out bleak as Forbis struck out the first two hitters and appeared to be on his way to save number 12.

But that's when the Rangers conjured up some magic for the second straight day. John Brennan coaxed a two-out walk to start the rally and Mike Anderson promptly singled to center to put a runner into scoring position.

John Perszyk came up big, lining a base hit through the hole on the left side. With Brennan coming around third, leftfielder Trevor Parsons charged in to throw him out but had the ball go underneath his glove, allowing Anderson to score from first and give the Rangers the victory.

The game was close throughout as Parkside's Alex Zarek and Bellarmine's Kyle Grana matched zeroes through five innings with Zarek allowing just one hit over that time. The Rangers put together the game's biggest threat in the bottom of the fifth, loading the bases with two hits and a walk. But Grana recorded an inning-ending strikeout to snuff out the rally.

Bellarmine scored the game's first run in the sixth with their top of the order. Mike Morrisette singled to lead off the inning and moved to second when Sam Burke was hit by a pitch. Braxton Graven brought in Morrisette with a single to give the Knights the lead. The inning could have been worse but two stellar plays at short by John Brennan, including a diving stop and throw to the plate, kept the deficit at just a run.

“Plays like that save games for you,” said Weaver. “And obviously without those two plays we don't win that game. He really put a spark into us cause we were able to come out of that only giving up one run.”

Parkside looked to answer in the bottom of the inning but had another scoring chance go by the wayside. Dave Lojeski doubled to lead off the inning and got to third on a sac bunt. But a strikeout and fly ball to center ended the inning with Bellarmine still in front.

Zarek posted another scoreless inning in the seventh to give the Rangers a chance to comeback and record the victory. He picked up his seventh career complete game allowing just four hits along the way.
Anderson and Lojeski each had two hits to lead the offensive attack.

“Alex Zarek came out and it was almost a repeat of last year ... he pitched a heck of a ballgame,” said Weaver. Last season, Zarek allowed one run on three hits to Bellarmine in a complete game but suffered a 1-0 loss.

In game two the Rangers were aggressive early and pounded out six hits through three innings but could only get one run across. In the third inning, a perfectly executed hit and run by Lojeski moved Alex Zarek to third with one away. Kirk Haviland followed with a bouncer off the third baseman's glove to bring in Zarek for a 1-0 lead. The Rangers had a second run cut down at the plate to end the inning on an extremely close play on a shallow tag up.

They added another run in the fifth without having a ball leave the infield. A walk and two hit batters loaded the bases with two outs. Brad Liermann's roller to right side was fielder but the second baseman slipped in the hole as he set to throw and the ball went wide allowing Liermann to reach and make it 2-0.

Parkside took a 3-0 lead in the sixth on a two-out double by Zarek. He brought home Brennan who had singled and got to third on an errant pick-off throw. They added insurance in the eighth on an Zarek groundout.

The extra run allowed Wolcott to come back out for the ninth and despite losing the shutout he was able to retire the final three he faced to earn his second win of the year.

“Chris threw strikes (with his) fastball and slider and he wasn't afraid to throw it in any count,” said Weaver.

The Rangers pounded out 13 hits in game two but also left 13 on base. All nine starters recorded at least one hit in the finale. Zarek had two hits and two RBI while Lojeski, Haviland, and Brennan all had two hits as well.

The Rangers will wrap up their season on Tuesday evening when they take on Lewis University under the lights over at Carthage College. First pitch is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.