The versatility Carly Yingling is in line to gain this spring should help with her future in softball.
The Morton High School senior announced March 1 she will attend Heartland Community College in Normal and play softball for the Hawks in a signing in the library.
Yingling went to a camp last summer and appreciated the coaching of Daryn Miller, who leads the Heartland program.
“I like how he works with his athletes,” said Yingling. “(Miller)’s easy to learn from.”
Another factor with appeal is the Hawks won the 2009 National Junior College Athletic Association Division II championship.
Yingling could play anywhere on the infield for Heartland or possibly pitch.
That should suit her since Yingling said Potter head coach Stacey Buescher determined there will be few set positions this year for her final high school campaign.
Yingling already spends a lot of time in the Twin Cities. Her Bloomington Angels summer team plays at nearby Champion Fields.
Playing collegiate softball is something Yingling has desired “ever since I was in 12-and-under.”
Yingling, who has played the sport since she was 5 or 6 years old, said she is glad to have her decision made and that there will not be any stress during Morton’s season, which has its opener in about two weeks.
Yingling was an at-large second-team all-Mid-Illini Conference pick as a junior.
In three varsity seasons, Yingling has a .286 batting average. Last year, she set a career-high with 26 RBI.
In 96 1/3 career innings in the circle, Yingling is 10-8 with a 2.25 earned-run average.
