Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 SPARTANBURG, SC. – The No. 1 seed Parkland College Softball team dropped out of the NJCAA Division II Softball World Series after suffering losses to No. 9 seed St. Johns River State College and No. 2 seed Copiah-Lincoln Community College on Wednesday, May 22nd. The Cobras (58-6) got out to an early 2-run lead in game one versus the Lady Vikings (52-15) but couldn't keep the offense going in a 4-2 loss, and Parkland fell behind against the Lady Wolves (45-6) in game two and were unable to catch up, suffering a season-ending 4-1 loss in the NJCAA DII Softball World Series Consolation Bracket. The Cobras end the 2024 season with a 58-6 record, the second winningest season in program history.
 
"Today just was not our day, but one day does not define what this team has accomplished on and off the field," co-head coach Dan Paulson said on Wednesday night. "This team has made us proud every day since we started back in the middle of August."
 
"It's been a journey full of memories that will last a lifetime. These ladies are special on and off the field. We are grateful and thankful for the opportunity to coach this group," Paulson continued.
 
No. 9 St. Johns River State College 4, No. 1 Parkland College 2
 
Parkland opened the scoring in the bottom of the 3rd inning when Emma Mason (1-3, RBI) grounded an RBI single up the middle, scoring Alisha Frederick (1-2, R, BB) and Lexie Griffin (RBI) laid down a sacrifice bunt to score Lizzie Stiverson (1-3, R) later in the inning to take a 2-0 lead early in the game.
 
St. Johns River State battled back with a 2-out rally in the top of the 5th, loading the bases and taking a 3-2 lead, and the Lady Vikings added to their lead in the top of the 6th with an RBI double to go up 4-2. The Cobra offense struggled down the stretch, recording 0 hits after the 3rd inning, and Parkland dropped its first game of the Softball World Series 4-2.
 
Sophomore Karley Yergler (5.2 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 4 K, BB) tossed 4 and 2/3 innings before being replaced by Ellie Vetter (1.1 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, K, BB) in the 5th inning. Yergler returned to the circle in the 7th to finish the game, suffering her first loss since February 20th.
 
No. 2 Copiah-Lincoln Community College 4, No. 1 Parkland College 1
 
The Lady Wolves got on the board in the bottom of the 2nd inning and added a run in the 3rd to take a 2-0 lead. The Cobras put a runner in scoring position in the top of the 5th but could not capitalize, and Copiah-Lincoln drove in two more runs in the bottom half to extend the lead to 4-0.
 
In the top of the 6th, Parkland shortstop Lizzie Stiverson launched a solo home run out to left field, her 13th homer of the season, and designated hitter Emma Mason lifted a single to center field in the next at bat, but the team was not able to knock her in and the score remained 4-1. The Cobras opened the 7th inning with a single, but the comeback fell short, and Parkland dropped its first game in the NJCAA Softball World Series Consolation bracket 4-1 to Copiah Lincoln.
 
Starting pitcher Karley Yergler (31-4) pitched all six innings on Wednesday night, allowing four earned runs on 11 hits and one walk, striking out two batters in her 79th and final appearance with Parkland College.
 
"Kristi, Stacey, and I want to thank Parkland College, Brendan McHale, our players' families, and the community for the support all year," Paulson added. "Thank you to all the Cobra fans out there."