EMORY, Va. – The Coker University Softball Team (10-22, 3-11 SAC) earned a pair of South Atlantic Conference wins against Emory & Henry University (24-16, 5-9 SAC) Saturday afternoon. The Cobras opened the day with a 6-2 win and held on for a 10-8 win to complete the sweep.
The Basics
GAME ONE – Coker 6, Emory & Henry 2
GAME TWO – Coker 10, Emory & Henry 8
LOCATION – Emory, Virginia
VENUE – Wasps Field
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (24-16, 5-9 SAC); Coker (10-22, 3-11 SAC)
Game One – Coker 6, Emory & Henry 2
The Wasps struck first as sophomore third baseman Tristyn Tofano (Roanoke, Va.) drove in senior centerfielder Mackenzie Williams (St. Augustine, Fla.) with an infield hit. Coker tied things up, 1-1 on a double to left-center by Cheyenne Palmer in the second.
The Cobras took a 3-1 advantage midway through the third as Bailee Gaskins and Madie Andrews had back-to-back RBIs. E&H closed the gap to 3-2 on a solo home run by senior first baseman Lydia Taylor (Salem, Va.) in the bottom of the frame.
Coker added one in the fifth and two in the sixth for the final 6-2 score. Gaskins highlighted the final innings with a two-run double to left.
Andrews earned the win in the circle, scattering two runs on six hits with two walks and two strikeouts. E&H junior left-hander Malorie Reeves (Galax, Va.) suffered the loss, allowing four earned runs on 12 hits with three strikeouts.
Game Two – Coker 10, Emory & Henry 8
Coker scored three in the top of the first on a trio of singles up the middle. E&H tied things up in the bottom of the frame on a three-run swat by junior second baseman Abigail Street (Glade Spring, Va.). Street gave the Wasps a 4-3 lead in the third, singling down the right field line to drive in senior right fielder Danielle King (Spencer, Va.).
In the fifth, the Cobras pushed four across to go ahead, 7-4, with Gaskins and Mya Cribbs tallying RBI doubles. Coker made it a 10-4 contest with three runs in the sixth including a solo home run by Ariana Fair.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Wasps got two back thanks to a solo home run by freshman third baseman Hannah Booth (Longwood, Fla.) and a RBI base knock by King.
Down to the final three outs, E&H scored two more in the seventh as freshman shortstop Sawyer Tolley (Bedford, Va.) had a sacrifice fly and Williams notched a RBI double down the left field line. The Wasps were unable to get any closer as Coker claimed game two, 10-8.
Gaskins earned the win in the circle, allowing six runs on 10 hits with four strikeouts in 5.1 innings of work. Brooklyn Lovin picked up the save, allowing two runs on three hits with two strikeouts as she pitched the final 1.2 innings. Emory & Henry sophomore Destiny Good (Staunton, Va.) took the loss, permitting four runs on nine hits in five innings pitched.
Up Next
Emory & Henry remains at home on Tuesday, hosting Limestone University at 1:00 p.m., in a South Atlantic Conference doubleheader.
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