Sports Editor Matt Daniels’ Daily Pitch: May 22, 2024

Karley Yergler and the Parkland softball team made headlines with a dominant performance in the NJCAA Division II World Series. Yergler and Ellie Vetter combined on a no-hitter as Parkland cruised to a 7-0 victory against Potomac State (W. Va.) on Tuesday. Yergler pitched six innings and struck out an impressive 12 batters, while Vetter closed out the game by striking out the side in the seventh inning.

In other sports news, at least one area Class 2A high school baseball team is set to secure a spot in a sectional championship game on Saturday. Monticello will face Westville at 7 p.m., while St. Joseph-Ogden will take on Maroa-Forsyth at 4:30 p.m. in Decatur.

Additionally, voting for The News-Gazette’s High School Athlete of the Week, powered by Copper Creek Contractors, is ongoing until noon on Thursday at news-gazette.com.

On the track and field front, a total of 180 area boys’ track and field athletes have qualified for the IHSA state meet, representing 33 area schools. The competition is set to take place later this week in Charleston.

Overall, the local sports scene is buzzing with excitement and anticipation as athletes showcase their skills and compete at various levels. Stay tuned for more updates and results as the action unfolds.