CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The No. 3 ranked Parkland College Softball team secured its place atop the M-WAC Conference after sweeping No. 14 Spoon River College on Saturday, April 8th. The Cobras (34-8) (10-0) defeated the Snappers (27-10-1) (6-2) with strong pitching performances, allowing just seven hits between the 6-1 win in game one and the 10-1 win in game two. Freshmen Karley Yergler (16-6) and Ryleigh Owens (8-1) each picked up a win on Saturday, and sophomore Jaidi Davis led Parkland with five RBI as the team extended their win streak to 17 games.
Up next, the Cobras head to Illinois Central College on Friday, April 14th, for a conference doubleheader. First pitch against the Cougars (14-10) is scheduled for 3:00 PM in East Peoria.
Game 1: No. 3 Parkland College 6, Spoon River College 1
The Cobras took the lead in the bottom of the 1st inning when Jaidi Davis tripled on a fly ball to center field, scoring on an error. Third basemen Bri Roloff (1-3, HR, 3 RBI) lifted a 3-run homer in the bottom of the 3rd, and Davis (2-2, HR, 2 RBI, 3 R, BB) launched her third home run of the season in the 5th.
Starting pitcher Karley Yergler (7.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 13 K) didn’t allow a hit until the 7th inning, striking out 13 batters as the Cobras won 6-1.
Game 2: No. 3 Parkland 10, Spoon River 1
Parkland opened game two with a 10-run 1st inning that included a Jaidi Davis RBI triple, a 2-RBI double from Grace Bushur (1-2, 3 RBI, R), and back-to-back RBI doubles from Davis (2-3, 3 RBI, 2 R) and Emma Mason (1-2, 2 RBI, R) to finish the run. Spoon River got a run back in the top of the 3rd, but the Parkland defense held strong, and the Cobras won 10-1.
Starting pitcher Ellie Vetter (2.1 IP, 4 H, 1 ER) faced 14 batters on Saturday afternoon, and freshman Ryleigh Owens (2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 7 K) earned the win in relief.
