MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) –
On the first full day of fall, Minnesota State University’s Baseball Team was out in the sun preparing for next spring.
New addition to the Mavericks, Outfielder Cole Yearsley, is already making an impact on his team.
His teammate Jake Berkland said, “[Yearsley] has helped us out a lot not only on the baseball side but just bringing this team together and he always brings positive vibes to this group. So, yeah, I think it’s very important that he is a part of this squad.”
But Yearsley says that success didn’t come easy. Before arriving at MSU, he’s had his fair share of struggles.
Yearsley said, “I wasn’t sleeping, I wasn’t eating, and I felt like I was getting attacked. I felt like I was like pushed into a corner…”.
Yearsley felt cornered by negative thoughts and feelings that put him in a depressive state. After praying and talking to his mom, he made the crucial decision to reach out for help.
“I talked to pastors, talked to different people – mentors that I, you know, value their opinion and that I trust with you know, anything,” Yearsley explained.
MSU Shortstop, Jake Berkland said he couldn’t have guessed, Yearsley went through any of that.
“You know he seems like a very upbeat kid, and I wouldn’t have guessed that until he did tell me his story and we talked about it,” Berkland said.
Yearsley says the thoughts were scary but he’s not fearful of those past experiences.
“It’s not something you should be embarrassed about. I mean it happened, it’s something that I couldn’t control. The only thing I can control is taking the next step, waking up with a good attitude and just taking the next step forward,” said Yearsley.
Being available to people who are struggling with mental health is why Berkland has this green bandana on his backpack.
Berkland said, “there are people out there that just kind of can put on a face and hide their emotions and hide what going through. But the green bandana really can bring that out and provide someone like that with a safe person to talk to.”
While having that support of family and friends, Yearsley also credits a Higher Power.
“Being somebody that’s gone through it I think something that I would say is just to lean on the word and just trust Him,” Yearsley declared.
Yearsley and Berkland encourage people struggling to speak up and everyone should be willing to listen.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, you can always call or text 9-8-8 for immediate and confidential support.
Click here to download the KEYC News Now app or our KEYC First Alert weather app.
Copyright 2025 KEYC. All rights reserved.