The Lindenwood softball team (11-3) upped its win streak five on Friday, sweeping in-region Parkside from Lou Brock Sports Complex in St. Charles, Mo.
 
The Lions used a six-run first in game one to demoralize the Rangers, winning 7-1 behind the team's five extra-base hits and four stolen bases. Marina Esparza dominated the circle in the finale, allowing just one hit and striking out nine opponents in the complete-game shutout. Overall, the Lions' pitching staff allowed a miniscule three hits to the Rangers.
 
GAME ONE OVERVIEW
After surrendering just her fourth earned run of the season, starter Amanda Weyh settled in the rest of the contest and struck out seven over five frames. Freshman Abigail Uplegger was stellar in her home debut, inducing five groundouts in two innings.
 
Lindenwood's bats exploded in the bottom half of the first, scoring six runs on five hits to quickly lead 6-1. Whitney Kinser and Weyh each smacked two-run doubles, before Irelynn West popped her second dinger of the spring over the right-center field fence to cap the six-run frame. Whitney Wendel added a run to the Lions' total in the second, doubling home Nicole Henson following the freshman's single.
 
The scoring would stop after the second inning, as Lindenwood collected nine hits in total during the win. Wendel went 3-for-3 at the dish for the second straight contest, while three Lions recorded two RBI.
 
GAME ONE LEADERS
Wendel (3-for-3, RBI, 2B, SB)
Kinser (2-for-3, 2 RBI, 2B)
Weyh (5.0 IP, 7 K)
West (1-for-3, HR)
 
GAME TWO OVERVIEW
Esparza avenged her Thursday performance with a brilliant one-hitter against Parkside, which included nine strikeouts. The Mokena, Ill., product lowered her season ERA to 2.26 following her first scoreless appearance from the rubber since February 20 against Findlay. It was Esparza's fourth time tossing seven shutout frames and the first time since she did it against Parkside in February 2021.
 
In what is sure to be the quickest game of the season, the Lions managed to scrape across the lone run of the afternoon when Weyh scurred home just before Morgan Gersch was caught stealing second. Four Lions collected hits in the win, with Taylor Bushman finishing with a pair.
 
Megan Clark, who continues to impress with the glove at second base, finished 1-for-2 at the plate and is now on a modest three-game hitting streak.
 
GAME TWO LEADERS
Esparza (CG, 9 K, 1 H)
Bushman (2-for-3)
Kinser (1-for-2, BB)
 
QUOTABLE
"It was nice to get on our home field before we leave for Florida," said head coach Erin Brown. "It'll be great for us when we get back and host Illinois Springfield, who is having a really good season.
 
"I'm so proud of her," Brown said of Esparza. "She did a really great job of keeping batters off balance. She stayed confident and collected. I wish we had more run support for her," laughed Brown. "I'm really happy she got this fresh start."
 
UP NEXT
The Lions travel south to Winter Haven, Fla., for six games next week. Lindenwood is set to battle Trevecca on Sunday morning at 9 a.m., which will mark the third time already this spring the Lions and Trojans square off.