On Tuesday the Pride Baseball team took on Parkside in a GLIAC doubleheader where the Pride would drop game one 5-2 and pick up a big win in game two by a score of 2-1.
Jayden Smith (Allegan, Mich./Allegan) would have a massive series hitting three homeruns throughout the two games.
The Basics
•   Records: Purdue Northwest (15-18), Parkside (16-19)
•   Location: Hammond, Indiana
•   GLIAC Doubleheader
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GAME ONE, L - (5-3)
The Breakdown
- Jayden Smith (Allegan, Mich./Allegan) would lead the pride with two hits and two RBIs.
- Jax Kalemba (Chicago, Ill./Andrean) would also contribute a hit and an RBI.
- Noah Burgh (Warsaw, Ind./Warsaw Community High School) started on the mound for Purdue Northwest throwing four innings and striking out one.
- J. Allen led Parkside with three hits and two RBIs.
- N. Gerritson started and threw two innings, striking out four for the Rangers.
- Parkside wasted no time asserting themselves on the scoreboard, putting up an impressive three runs in the opening inning.
- However, the Pride quickly responded in the bottom of the first inning, with J. Kalemba delivering a timely single to center field, driving in Ballard to put Purdue Northwest on the board with their first run of the game.
- The action intensified in the later innings, with Purdue Northwest's J. Smith making his presence known with a solo home run in the 4th inning, narrowing Parkside's lead to just one run.
- Parkside managed to extend their lead in the 5th inning with a single driving in one.
- Purdue Northwest refused to back down, as J. Smith struck again in the 6th inning with another impressive home run, bringing Purdue Northwest within striking distance at 4-3.
- Parkside would add on another run in the form of a solo homerun and shutdown the Prides comeback to secure a 5-3 victory in game one.
GAME TWO, W - (2-1)
The Breakdown
- Jayden Smith (Allegan, Mich./Allegan) would lead the pride with one hit and one RBI in the form of a clutch homerun.
- Cole Olson (Stanton, Mich./Central Montcalm) would each contribute two RBIs.
- Owen Walkowiak (Crown Point, Ind./Andrean) started on the mound for Purdue Northwest throwing five innings and striking out five.
- J. Heinzen led Parkside with two hits.
- P. Swanson started and threw seven innings, striking out six for the Rangers.
- The Pride struck first in the 6th inning when D. Puplava unleashed a powerful swing, sending the ball sailing over the fence for a home run, driving in the first run of the game and giving Purdue Northwest a crucial 1-0 lead.
- Parkside, however, refused to go down without a fight. In the 7th inning, they rallied back with a clutch single to right field, allowing a run to score and tie the game at 1-1.
- As tensions mounted and the pressure intensified, Purdue Northwest answered back in the 8th inning with a decisive play. Once again, J. Smith proved to be a formidable force as he launched a towering home run, securing the go-ahead run for Purdue Northwest and propelling them to a 2-1 lead.
- The Pride would be able to slam the door and secure the 2-1 victory.
Up Next
The Pride next hit the field on April 19
th to take on Saginaw Valley State in a GLIAC matchup at Dowling Park. Game time is set for 3:00 PM.
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