HARTSVILLE, S.C. - The Coker University baseball team got their South Atlantic Conference season off on the right foot Friday night (Feb. 25), as they defeated UVA-Wise by a score of 11-6.

The Cobras jumped out to an early lead on Phill Griffor's RBI double in the first inning, as Tristen Melvin came around to score. Coker would increase their lead in the second inning behind two Cavalier errors and Reilly Hall RBI triple, making the score 5-0 after two innings.

UVA Wise drew within one run on two homers in the fifth and sixth innings, making the Cobra lead 5-4. Coker would add a run in the sixth on another Cavalier error, but Wise once again woke up the bats to tie things at 6-6 entering the bottom of the seventh inning. 

The Cobras turned up the heat in the seventh, as they pushed across five runs in the frame behind a Jimmy Rosengrant RBI sac fly, a Reilly Hall two RBI double, a Kody Hanna RBI double, and one final RBI double from Brady Jeffcoat. The score would hold at 11-6 through the final out.

Coker was led at the plate by Hall and his four RBI night. Griffor continued his hot hitting streak, as he went 3-3 after a 5-5 display on Tuesday (Feb. 22) against Catawba. Ashby Vining and Jackson Williams each contributed two hits to the Cobra cause. Matt Hyatt got the start on the mound and threw three scoreless innings, striking out six Cavaliers. Triston Fowler came in and recorded the final eight outs to earn the victory, his first of the season. 

The Cobras will be back in action Saturday (Feb. 26), when they host the Cavaliers in a doubleheader. First pitch of the first game is scheduled for 1 p.m., with live video and statistics available at www.cokercobras.com.