CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The No. 5 ranked Parkland College Softball team swept conference rivals Lincoln Land Community College on Wednesday, April 19th, defeating the Loggers 12-0 and 8-0 to remain undefeated in conference play. The Cobras (39-9) were led by their freshman starting pitchers, as Karley Yergler (18-7) dominated on the rubber and at the plate in the first game, going 3-3 and driving in four runs with a double and home run, while Ellie Vetter (10-1) pitched a six-inning perfect game in game two, the first in program history since 2013.
“Ellie had her best stuff today. Her velocity was up, and her pitches were moving,” Parkland co-head coach Kristi Paulson relayed after her performance.
“Overall, we showed up and played well in both games today,” Parkland co-head coach Dan Paulson said after the sweep. “Our bats were hot early, and our pitching was lights out both games.”
Up next, the Cobras travel to Danville Area Community College on Sunday, April 23rd, for another conference doubleheader. First pitch against the Jaguars (26-15) (8-2) is scheduled for 1:00 PM in Danville.
Game 1: No. 5 Parkland College 12, Lincoln Land Community College 0 (5 innings)
Parkland sophomore Kami Pearson (2-3, HR, 2B, 2 RBI, R) got the scoring started with a solo home run in the top of the 2nd inning, and Karley Yergler followed suit later in the inning to put the Cobras up 5-0. The team led 7-0 going into the 3rd, and sophomore Jade Baker (2-2, 3 RBI) extended the lead with a 2-RBI single in the bottom of the inning. Back-to-back RBI singles from Maddie Reed (3-3, 2 RBI, 3 R) and Yergler (3-3, HR, 4 RBI, 2 R) in the 4th gave Parkland a 12-0 lead, and the Cobras completed the shutout for their fourth straight win.
Yergler (4.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K) earned her seventh straight conference win on Wednesday. Freshman Izzy Sheets (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 K) finished off the win in the top of the 5th, striking out two.
Game 2: No. 5 Parkland College 8, LLCC 0
Both teams struggled offensively early in game two, as the score remained 0-0 until Parkland first basemen Jaidi Davis lined a 3-RBI double into center field. Second basemen Emma Mason (1-3, RBI, R) drove in Davis (2-3, 3 RBI, R, BB) later in the inning, and outfielder Katy Hendricks launched a 3-run home run to cap a seven-run 5th inning. Catcher Kami Pearson (1-4, RBI) drove in Payton Roberts in the bottom of the 6th, and the Cobras run-ruled the Loggers 8-0.
Ellie Vetter (6.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 13 K) struck out 12 of the first 15 batters she faced to keep the Loggers quiet until the offense got going. With the perfect game on the line, centerfielder Maddie Reed made a diving catch in the final inning to preserve it, and Vetter struck out her last batter to finish off Lincoln Land on Wednesday afternoon.
