DUE WEST, S.C. - Coker University softball split the second day of the Bearcat Invitational on Saturday (Feb. 26), falling to Concord 8-7 before defeating host Erskine 6-2 in eight innings.
The Cobras fell behind 1-0 in the first against Concord, before striking for four runs in the second to take the lead. A bases loaded walk by Cierra Watts to score Bailey Douglas tied the game, before a wild pitch followed that scored Delaney Eaves to put the Cobras ahead 2-1. Brooklynn Stueness delivered the big blow in the inning with a two-RBI double to left to score Watts and Kelsey Gollie to put Coker ahead 4-1. Concord rallied to tie the game at four in their half of the second, where the teams would stay until the fifth. The Cobras would strike again in the fifth, first on a two-run tank from Douglas that scored Chloe Pelham and then on a Watts double down the left field line that scored Eaves. Coker took a 7-6 lead to the seventh, before Concord rallied in the home half to get the win.
Douglas led the offense with two hits, while three others tallied hits in the game. Douglas and Eaves each scored twice, while three others crossed the plate in the game for the Cobras. Stueness, Douglas and Watts each drove in two runs in the game. Pelham also swiped two bags in the contest. Brandi Davis got the start for the Cobras, tossing two innings allowing four runs, one earned on three hits with one walk and one strikeout. Jordyn Goodman tossed 4.1 innings of relief, allowing four runs, three earned on four hits with four walks and three strikeouts.
Coker would take a lead on Erskine in the third on a Stueness infield single that scored Ava Jay, before executing a double steal in the fifth inning with Pelham stealing home to increase the lead to 2-0. Erskine knotted things up with a two-run homer from Shi Cain in the sixth, before the teams headed to the extra frame to decide a winner. An Eaves double to left brought home Douglas and Hannah Davis to put the Cobras ahead for good, before insurance was added on a Watts double to center that scored Arianna Fair and Eaves. The Cobras would seal the victory with a shutdown defensive half of the eighth. Four Cobras recorded two hits apiece in the game, while four others added one hit apiece. Six different Cobras scored in the game, while Eaves and Watts each drove in two and Stueness brought home one. Pelham also added another pair of stolen bases, while Douglas and Ava Jay each swiped one bag in the game. Callie Thornton (5-2) picked up the win in the circle, firing a complete game allowing two runs on five hits with five walks and four strikeouts.
The Cobras (10-10) return to action on Tuesday (Mar. 1) at USC Aiken in non-conference action. First pitch is set for 2:00 p.m. from Aiken, S.C., with video and live stats available at www.cokercobras.com.