COLUMBUS, Ga. – The No. 6 ranked Parkland College Softball team battled inclement weather and two high-rated Division I junior colleges on day one of the NFCA Leadoff Classic, as the Cobras lost 7-0 to No. 4 Wallace State Community College-Hanceville before taking down Gulf Coast State College 5-4. The Cobras (11-3) struggled offensively in game one, recording just three hits versus the Lady Lions (13-2), but the team bounced back with five runs on seven hits in the win over the Commodores (12-8). Freshman Karley Yergler (6-3) struck out 11 batters over her two appearances on Friday, picking up the win in game two.
Up next, the Cobras resume play at the NFCA Leadoff Classic tomorrow, March 4th, with matchups against No. 15 Pearl River Community College (14-4), Division I No. 12 San Jacinto College (13-6), and Indian River State College (20-6) at the South Commons Softball Complex.
Game 1: No. 4 (DI) Wallace State CC 7, No. 6 Parkland College 0
The Cobras fell behind 1-0 after the Lady Lions opened the game with back-to-back doubles in the top of the 1st. Freshman Lexie Griffin (1-3) singled in the bottom of the second, but Parkland could not drive the catcher in, and Wallace State extended its lead with three more runs in the top of the 3rd. Second basemen Emma Mason (1-2) singled in the 5th, and shortstop Lizzie Stiverson (1-3, SB) singled in the 6th, but neither could spark a rally, and Parkland lost 7-0.
Starting pitcher Karley Yergler (3.0 IP, 7 H, 4 ER) faced 17 batters over three innings in her third loss of the season. Ryleigh Owens relieved Yergler in the fourth inning, allowing three runs on four hits in four innings of work.
Game 2: No. 6 Parkland College 5, Gulf Coast State College 4
Parkland took an early lead over Gulf Coast State when sophomore Jaidi Davis (1-3, 3 RBI) lined a 3-RBI double into center field with one out in the top of the 1st, and the Cobras led 3-1 going into the 2nd. The Commodores tied the game 3-3 in the bottom of the 4th inning, but the Cobras quickly regained the lead on a 2-run home run by freshman Bri Roloff (1-3, 2 RBI, HR) in the top of the 5th, scoring Grace Bushur (2-4, 2 R). Gulf Coast State threatened to tie the game in the bottom of the 6th, scoring one run and loading the bases with two outs, but Yergler got out of the jam and sat down all three batters she faced in the 7th, giving Parkland the 5-4 win on Friday night.
Freshman Ellie Vetter (3.1 IP, 8 H, 3 ER) got the start against the Commodores, facing 18 batters in her seventh appearance. Yergler (3.2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 7 K) relieved Vetter in the bottom of the 4th, striking out seven in her sixth career win.
