SPARTANBURG, SC. – The No. 4 seed Parkland College Softball team wrapped up its season with a 5th place finish at the NJCAA DII National Tournament on Thursday, May 25th, as the Cobras were eliminated following their second loss of the tournament. The Cobras finished the 2023 season with a 52-12 record after defeating No. 8 seed Kirkwood Community College 10-2 in six innings early in the afternoon, but a 2-0 loss to No. 2 seed Louisburg College ended the season in heartbreaking fashion. Freshman pitcher Karley Yergler (28-9) started both games, striking out 14 batters and allowing just two earned runs over 10 innings of work, and the Mahomet native also led the team with four hits on Thursday night.

"Tonight didn't end as we had planned, but this team fought until the very end," co-head coach Dan Paulson said after the game. "Kristi, Stacey, and I are so thankful for the opportunity to coach each and every one of them."

"We want to give a special mention to our sophomore group," Paulson continued. "The leadership from those seven was just phenomenal from day one. Bri, Delaney, Emma, Jade, Jaden, Jaidi, and Zoey - this group has been special to the Cobra softball family. They were each instrumental in us finishing fifth in the nation and we are proud of them and thankful for their time as Cobras."
 
No. 4 Parkland College 10, No. 8 Kirkwood Community College 2
 
The Cobras fell behind 1-0 in the top of the 3rd inning, but a bases-loaded 2-RBI single from shortstop Lizzie Stiverson (2-4, 2 RBI, R) in the bottom half put Parkland ahead. Second basemen Emma Mason (2-4, 2B, 3 RBI, 2 R) bunted into a fielder's choice later in the inning, scoring Ryleigh Owens (1-4, R), and right fielder Ellie Vetter (2-3, 2 RBI) drove in Stiverson and Mason with a ground ball to right field, giving the Cobras a 5-1 lead heading into the 4th.
 
Mason extended the Parkland lead with a 2-RBI double to center field in the 4th, and freshman Karley Yergler (3-3, 2B, RBI, 2 R) added another run with an RBI double in the 5th, making the score 8-1. The Eagles (45-18) got a run back in the top of the 6th, but the Cobras responded with a 2-RBI double from catcher Lexie Griffin (1-4, 2B, 2 RBI), and Parkland won 10-2 in six innings.
 
Starting pitcher Karley Yergler (4.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K) faced 17 batters in her 7th start this postseason, striking out five in four innings of work. Freshman Ryleigh Owens (2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K) relieved Yergler in the 5th inning, making her 4th appearance in the NJCAA DII Softball World Series.
 
No. 2 Louisburg College 2, No. 4 Parkland College 0
 
Parkland saw its season end in a defensive battle on Thursday night, as both offenses struggled to drive in runs. The Cobras did not record a hit until back-to-back 2-out singles from Karley Yergler (1-2, BB) and Ryleigh Owens (1-2, BB) in the 5th inning, but the Hurricanes (63-4) were the ones to break through in the bottom of the 6th, scoring on a sacrifice fly and an error to hand Parkland a season-ending loss.
 
Yergler (6.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 9 K) kept Louisburg quiet for five innings, striking out nine of the 25 batters she faced.

"Thank you to our athletic director, Brendan McHale, and Parkland College president Mike Trame for their support all year long," Paulson included after the loss. "Thank you to our trainer this season, Jessica Barrick, and thank you to all of the Parkland College Administration and Faculty for the opportunity and support."

"We also want to say thank you to all of our families and fans that traveled with us or followed along all season," Paulson added. "We have, without a doubt, the best fans and support in the nation. Thank you all."