BARNESVILLE, Ga. – The No. 7 ranked Parkland College Softball team bounced back from a short losing streak with a two-game series sweep over Gordon State College on Saturday, March 11th. The Cobras (13-6) needed a two-out, go-ahead 3-RBI double from freshman Lexie Griffin in the top of 7th to win 7-5 over the Highlanders (7-10) in game one, and Mahomet native Karley Yergler (7-5) pitched a one-hit shutout in the Cobras’ 6-0 win in game two. First basemen Jaidi Davis and second basemen Emma Mason recorded an RBI in both games as Parkland started its road trip 2-0.
Up next, the Cobras head to Titusville, Florida, for a week of games at Chain of Lakes Park on Cocoa Beach. Parkland faces Division III Anoka-Ramsey Community College at 11:30 AM EST and 1:30 PM EST on Monday, March 13th.
Game 1: No. 7 Parkland College 7, Gordon State College 5
The Cobras trailed 3-0 following a three-run Highlander bottom of the 2nd, but the team got a run back when Jaidi Davis (1-3, 2 RBI, R, BB) drove in Lizzie Stiverson (3-4, 2 R) in the top of the 4th. Freshman Emma Mason (2-3, 2 RBI, HR) smashed a solo home run over the left field fence in the top of the 5th to cut the deficit to one, but Gordon State extended its lead in the bottom of the inning, and Parkland trailed 5-2 heading to the 6th. The Cobras loaded the bases on an error, single, and catcher’s interference in the 6th before Davis drove in Grace Bushur (1-4, 2 R), and Mason hit an RBI single into left, scoring pitcher Ryleigh Owens and making the score 5-4. Down to their last out, the Cobras still trailed 5-4 in the top of the 7th until Lexie Griffin lifted a double into right field, scoring three and giving Parkland the 7-5 win.
Owens (5.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 5 K) struck out two batters and forced a ground-out third to close out the game and earn her third win of the season. She relieved freshman Ellie Vetter (2.0 IP, 5 H, 3 ER) in the third inning.
Game 2: No. 7 Parkland College 6, Gordon State College 0
Parkland got on the board in the top of the 2nd when sophomore Zoey Clark (1-3, RBI) scored Emma Mason (1-3, RBI, R, 2B) on a sacrifice fly, and Jaidi Davis (3-4, RBI, R, SB) extended the lead with an RBI single in the 3rd. Shortstop Lizzie Stiverson (1-3, 2 RBI, HR) hit her first home run of the season in the top of the 6th to make the score 5-0, and Katie Clark (1-2, RBI) gave the Cobras a six-run lead in the 7th. Gordon State got its first hit in the bottom of the fourth, but starting pitcher Karley Yergler (7.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 11 K) blanked the Highlanders the rest of the way, and Parkland won 6-0.
