Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 ROCKFORD, Ill. – The No. 3 ranked Parkland College Softball team won its eighth straight game at Rock Valley College on Tuesday, April 25th, before losing game two in a tightly-contested top-15 matchup. The Cobras (42-10) grabbed an early lead in game one and held on to win 5-1, and the Eagles (34-9) held off a late rally from the visitors, handing Parkland a 2-1 loss. Freshman Karley Yergler (7.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 K) earned her 20th win in the circle and doubled in both games on Tuesday. The Cobras are now 4-3 against ranked opponents this season.
 
Up next, Parkland hosts an M-WAC doubleheader against Lewis & Clark Community College on Thursday, April 27th. First pitch against the Trailblazers (14-23-1) (4-16) is scheduled for 2:00 PM at the Parkland College Softball Field.
 
Game 1: No. 3 Parkland College 5, No. 11 Rock Valley College 0
 
Freshman Ryleigh Owens opened the scoring in the top of the 1st inning, advancing to third base on a Kami Pearson (1-3, R) fielder's choice and reaching home on an error before Emma Mason (1-4, RBI) lifted an RBI single to right field, giving Parkland a 2-0 lead. Owens (1-4, RBI, 2 R) also got the scoring starting in the 2nd, driving in Karley Yergler (1-2, 2B, 2 R, BB) on a fielder's choice and sophomore Jaidi Davis (2-4, RBI) drove in Owens to put the Cobras up 4-0.
 
Starting pitcher Karley Yergler (20-7) scored on a Payton Roberts sac fly in the top of the 4th, and the freshman allowed just one earned run on three hits and two walks in a complete game shutout, striking out eight in the 5-1 Parkland win.
 
Game 2: No. 11 Rock Valley College 2, No. 3 Parkland College 1
 
Rock Valley took advantage of a leadoff walk in the bottom of the 1st inning, taking a 1-0 lead on a two-out RBI single. Parkland answered in the top of the 4th, tying the game when Emma Mason (1-3, RBI) grounded an RBI single up the middle, scoring Lizzie Stiverson (1-3, R). The Cobras loaded the bases in the inning, but the Eagles ended the inning on a dropped 3rd strike, tagging sophomore pinch-runner Jade Baker out at home.
 
Rock Valley regained the lead in the bottom of the 6th, and Parkland couldn't score Karley Yergler (1-2, 2B) in the top of the 7th, losing 2-1 in game two. Freshman Ellie Vetter (10-2) was credited with the loss, allowing two earned runs on four hits and two walks, striking out four batters in her 19th start.