Alli (Blake) Yeager is one of the most decorated players in Central Oklahoma's rich softball history. A four-year pitching standout from 2005-08, Yeager showcased amazing control and a devastating drop ball that baffled hitters throughout her career. A product of Putnam City North High, she led the Bronchos to 137 wins and three NCAA Division II national tournament appearances.
Alli burst on the scene as a true freshman in 2005, going 20-3 with four saves and a miniscule 0.78 earned run average that ranked eighth nationally while issuing only 25 walks in 162 1/3 innings. She was named Lone Star Conference North Division Freshman and Pitcher of the Year in addition to earning All-South Central Region honors in leading UCO to the national tournament.
Yeager walked just 27 batters in 188 1/3 innings the following season, finishing 18-11 with six saves – fourth-best in Division II -- and a 1.45 ERA. She dominated during UCO's championship run at the South Central Regional, tossing three consecutive shutouts and allowing only nine hits in 19 innings as the Bronchos advanced to the Division II World Series for the first time in school history. UCO went 1-2 there and was ranked fifth in the final national rankings.
Alli was All-LSC North Division Pitcher of the Year and an All-South Central Region selection again in 2007 after posting a 13-7 record with one save. She walked only 21 batters in 147 1/3 innings and had a 1.57 ERA.
Yeager earned All-LSC North accolades for the fourth time as a senior in 2008 after finishing 16-8 with a school-record seven saves – again ranking fourth nationally -- and a 2.05 ERA. She walked a mere 19 batters in 164 innings in leading Central back to the national tournament.
Alli finished her sensational career with a 67-29 record, 18 saves and a 1.47 ERA while striking out 437 and walking just 92 in 661 2/3 innings. She pitched in 138 games with 98 starts and threw 25 shutouts, including five one-hitters. Yeager is UCO's all-time leader in career saves and ranks second in career innings pitched, wins and shutouts and third in strikeouts.
In this week's installment of our look back at some of Central's past athletic greats, here's a brief conversation with Alli (Blake) Yeager.
Degree earned at UCO:Â Bachelors in Public RelationsÂ
How did UCO prepare you for success:Â Balancing both school and softball helped me learn time management skills and being a part of a team prepared me to work closely with others toward a common goal in the workplace.Â
Favorite memory at Central:Â Winning the regional tournament and going to the Women's College World Series for the first time in school history!Â
Best thing about going to UCO:Â Meeting people who became lifelong friends.Â
Who were your favorite professors, coaches, etc: Coach Honea (Stidham) of course! She was the best and I learned a lot from her. She will always hold a special place in my heart. I remember two Mass Communications professors the most - Bill Hickman and Terry Clark. I learned a lot about writing from both of them.Â
If you could give advice to a current student-athlete at UCO, what would it be:Â Enjoy every moment because it goes by quickly. Make sure to focus on your grades, because sports will end but you have to get an internship or a job afterward and being good at a sport won't help you with that. It's important to remember you are both a student and an athlete.Â
Career path:Â I started out in my degree field, public relations, and worked at a public relations agency for a few years before switching to Ed Tech where I have remained ever since. I am currently a Senior Project Manager for Imagine Learning, a company that creates language, reading, and math software for K-12 schools.Â
Where do you currently live:Â Saratoga Springs, UtahÂ
Family: I married my college boyfriend, Josh Yeager, and we have been married for 11 years. We have two kids - a 7-year-old smart, beautiful girl named Kaitlyn and a silly, ornery 5-year-old boy named Jacob. We have two golden doodles - Marty and Millie.Â
