HARTSVILLE, S.C. – The Coker College softball team improved to 11-1 on the season thanks to a pair of non-conference wins over the visiting Columbia College Koalas on Sunday (Feb. 19) afternoon. Coker picked up the opener by a score of 12-1 in five innings, and then turned around to take game two by a score of 5-0.
The Cobras exploded out of the gates in game one, scoring six runs in the first inning. With two runners on and one out, Tayler Barcomb singled up the middle to score Cacey Simmons, giving the Cobras the early 1-0 advantage. Hannah Price stepped in and belted a three-run home run to left center propelling Coker ahead 4-0. With the bases loaded and two outs, leadoff hitter Kelsi Bachmann slashed a single down the left field line to plate two more runs and put the Navy and Gold on top by a score of 6-0 after the first inning. Coker added three more runs in the third inning, thanks a three-run blast by Hannah Goodman. A Maria Williamson solo home run in the fourth and RBIs by Anna Gluhosky and Bachmann secured the eventual 12-1 win in the opener.
Price and Bachmann each went 1-for-3 with three RBIs. Allyson High and Barcomb recorded multi-hit games, while nine Cobras in total tallied the hit column.
Nikki Linthicum improved to 2-0 on the season. She scattered one run on five hits in four innings, while striking out two batters.
Game two started much slower, with neither side finding the scoreboard through the three innings. However, Coker broke the tie in the bottom of the fourth inning, thanks to an RBI double by Williamson. With two runners in scoring position, Price continued to excel at the dish, lacing a two-RBI double to left center to put Coker ahead 3-0. A two-RBI single by Barcomb in the fifth added a pair of insurance runs for the Cobras, notching the eventual 5-0 win in game two.
Barcomb finished 2-for-3 at the plate with two-RBIs, while Price went 1-for-3 again with two RBIs. Bachmann, Simmons, Williamson and High all recorded hits in game two, with Williamson also collected a RBI.
Tabitha Allen improved to 2-0 on the season. She allowed just one base runner in two innings of relief, striking out three batters. Augusta Jackson, who started, scattered three hits in three innings, allowing no runs.
The Cobras will be back in action on Tuesday (Feb. 21) when they travel to Lander for a non-conference doubleheader with the Bearcats. Opening pitch is set for 3 p.m.
