Yergler named to Illinois Coaches Association Class 3A All-State first team

By Fred Kroner

Mahomet-Seymour senior softball pitcher Karley Yergler is the first Bulldog ever chosen to the Illinois Coaches Association Class 3A All-State first team.

As a junior, Yergler and senior Aubrie Shore were the second and third M-S athletes ever chosen to the ICA Class 3A softball All-State second team, joining 2011 graduate Jamie Scott in that elite group.

This year, Yergler was one of 21 players statewide accorded first-team laurels on the Class 3A squad. She won 23 games and averaged 2.02 strikeouts per inning, while leading the 27-7 Bulldogs to fourth place in the Class 3A state tournament.

Three M-S players were rewarded with first-team all-conference accolades in voting done by Apollo Conference coaches.

Teammates joining Yergler on the 12-player first team were senior first baseman Abbey Akers and junior third baseman Brooke Howard.

One M-S player received recognition on the eight-player All-Apollo second team: sophomore shortstop Maddie Cortez.

All four Bulldogs who earned postseason honors batted at least .352 for the season. Yergler slugged a school-record 17 home runs. Akers hit a team-high 11 doubles.

Yergler, a Parkland College recruit, was a repeat selection on the all-conference first team.