CLERMONT, Fla. – The No. 1 Parkland College Softball team added two wins on the opening day of The Spring Games on Saturday, March 9. The Cobras (15-3) defeated Mott Community College 7-2 and Mid Michigan Community College 5-1 to extend their winning streak to seven straight games. Starting pitcher Karley Yergler (9-2) earned the win in game one, striking out 15 batters, before launching two home runs in game two, her 3rd and 4th home runs of the season.
 
Up next, Parkland continues to play in The Spring Games tomorrow, March 10, with two games versus Iowa Lakes Community College. First pitch against the Lakers (7-5) is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. EST.
 
Game 1: No. 1 Parkland College 7, Mott Community College 2
 
Parkland fell behind in the top of the 1st inning on a Mott CC two-run home run but answered right away when sophomore Lexie Griffin (1-4, HR, 3 RBI) hammered a three-run home run in the bottom half, and the Cobras added another run in the 2nd to lead 4-2 heading into the 3rd inning. Sophomore pitcher Karley Yergler (1-3, RBI) struck out eight straight batters to preserve the lead, and the Cobras drove in three more runs in the bottom of the 6th to close out a 7-2 victory.
 
Sophomores Emma Mason (2-4, 2B, 2 RBI, R) and Ellie Vetter (2-2, 2B, R) each doubled, while Mia Ruder (3-4, 2 R) led the team in scoring in the win.
 
Yergler (6.0 IP, 1 H, 2 ER, 15 K) settled in after giving up the 1st-inning home run, not allowing a hit the rest of the way before sophomore Ryleigh Owens (1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 K) relieved her in the 7th.
 
Game 2: No. 1 Parkland College 5, Mid Michigan Community College 1
 
The Cobras opened the scoring in the top of the 3rd inning when Yergler (2-3, 2 HR, 3 RBI) homered, Alisha Frederick (1-3, RBI, BB) grounded an RBI single up the middle, and Emma Mason scored Mia Ruder (2-3, 2B, R) on a sacrifice bunt to put Parkland up 3-0. Yergler added to the lead in the 4th, smacking a two-run home run over the left field fence. The Lakers broke up the shutout in the bottom of the 7th, scoring on an RBI triple, but it wasn't enough as the Cobras cruised to a 5-1 win.
 
Starting pitcher Ellie Vetter (5-1) allowed three hits over three innings, striking out six to earn her fifth win of the year. Ryleigh Owens (3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 4 K, 1 BB) relieved Vetter in the 4th inning, and freshman Claire Black (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 1 BB) finished the game in the circle.