Late Inning Heroics Propel Cobras Past Barry

Late Inning Heroics Propel Cobras Past Barry

COLUMBUS, GA. – The Coker College softball team improved to 18-4 on its season on Sunday (Mar. 5) by picking up a 6-3 win over Barry University on the final day of the Columbus State University Classic.

Barry plated two runs in the top of the first inning to take an early 2-0 lead. A Maria Williamson RBI single in the bottom of the third cut the deficit for the Cobras to 2-1. A Coker throwing error in the top of the fourth inning gave the Bucs a 3-1 lead. In the bottom of the fifth inning, it was Williamson again coming up with an RBI base hit, this time a double to left center, scoring Hannah Goodman and cutting the lead to 3-2 in favor of Barry. With two outs in the bottom of the fifth, Hannah Price stepped up and slashed a single through the right side, scoring two runs and giving Coker the 4-3 lead, its first lead of the ball game. After a scoreless top of the sixth inning for Barry, Riley Morris and Goodman each delivered base hits in the bottom of the sixth inning to put runners on second and third with one out. Back-to-back sac bunts by Kelsi Bachmann and Cacey Simmons plated two insurance runs putting the Cobras ahead 6-3. After allowing a runner to second in the top of the seventh, three consecutive outs for Coker shut the door on Barry and notched the 6-3 for the Navy and Gold.

Williamson and Goodman each had multi-hit afternoons, Williamson going 2-for-3 with two RBIs, while Goodman was a perfect 2-for-2 with two runs scored. Price also drove in two runs, while Simmons and Bachmann each picked up an RBI as well.

Nikki Linthicum (3-1) picked up the win in relief, tossing three innings, allowing just one earned run on three hits. Tabitha Allen notched her first save of the season, allowing just one hit in one inning. Taylor Forehand started the game, allowing just one earned run in three innings, while striking out three.

The Cobras will return to the friendly confines of Saleeby-Stokes Softball Field on Wednesday (Mar. 8) to take on Lees-McRae in a non-conference doubleheader. Opening pitch times are set for 1 and 3 p.m.