Hartsville, S.C. - The Coker University Baseball team wrapped up its weekend conference series in sweeping fashion today (Mar 27). The Cobras clinched the conference series sweep over the Limestone University Saints by scores of 10-6 in game one, and the rubber game 9-4.
Game One:
Limestone would score in the first from a single up the middle to put them up 1-0 headed to the bottom half of the first, when Coker would even things up from Reilly Hall's RBI sacrifice fly to left, scoring Cam Murray.
Limestone would plate a run in the second inning to take back the lead heading into the bottom of the second, when the Cobras would tie it back up at 2-2 from Brain Castillo's RBI sacrifice fly to center, scoring Kris Blanco who had earlier singled through the left side.
The Saints would take a three-run lead in the third from a home run to make it 5-2, and plate another run in the fourth to bring the score to 6-2. Coker would make it 6-3 when Lybrand's RBI groundout would score Kody Hanna.
Coker would cut into the lead from a Drew Klaserner single to center that scored Hall, who had reached earlier on a walk to make it 6-4.
In the bottom of the sixth with two outs, Coker's offense would explode. Back-to-back singles from Lake Lybrand and Murray left runners at the corners for Cory Listing. Listing would send an RBI single to left, scoring Lybrand and advancing Murray to second to make it 6-5. Reilly Hall would reach by way of a walk, advancing both Murray and Listing. Phill Griffor would then step up and send a two-RBI single down the left-field line, advancing Hall to second and scoring Listing and Murray to score the go-ahead run for Coker at 7-6. Klaserner would send an RBI single up the middle, scoring Hall to take the 8-6 lead. Coker would score two more runs off a Limestone fielding error to make the final score 10-6.
Chris Watkins (3-2) picked up the win for Coker, allowing no hits and striking out one over 2.2 innings of work.
Game Two
Coker would strike first from a Klaserner two-RBI single up the middle, bringing home Griffor and Hall to put the Cobras up 2-0.
The Saints would cut into the Coker lead when they would hit a solo home run to make it 2-1.
The Cobras would score two in the fourth, first from a Hanna RBI single through the right side, scoring Griffor off a double to left and plating the second when Bryan Castillo's ground out would allow Klaserner to score to make it 4-1.
In the fifth, Hall's RBI single to center would score Murray to add another insurance run. Klaserner would send an RBI double to center, bringing home Griffor to make it 6-1. Lybrand would score from a stolen base in the sixth to put Coker up 7-1.
The Saints would plate a run in the eighth from a walk to make it 7-2.
In the eighth, Lybrand's RBI triple down the left-field line would score Castillo to make it 8-2. Lybrand would score from a Murray single through the left side to make it 9-2 headed into the ninth.
Limestone would plate two runs in the ninth to bring the final game score to 9-4.
Aaron Mitchell (2-0) picked up the win for Coker. Mitchell only allowed four hits and one run while striking out four over 6.0 innings of work. Castillo performed solidly behind the plate, picking off two runners in game two.
Offensively, Klaserner and Griffor stayed red hot for the Cobras. Coker as a whole totaled 24 hits on the day.
Coker is back in action Tuesday, March 30 when they travel to Mount Olive, N.C. to face No. 8 University of Mount Olive in a weekday matchup. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. with live coverage available at www.cokercobras.com
Mcdonald's Co-Players of the Game: Drew Klaserner (5-7, 5RBI, 2R, BB) and Aaron Mitchell (6.0 IP 4H, 1R, 4K)