HARTSVILLE, S.C. – The Coker College softball team moved to 35-11 and 11-3 in South Atlantic Conference play after a pair of league wins over the visiting Carson-Newman University Eagles on Saturday (Apr. 8). The Cobras took game one by a score of 2-0, then won game two by a score of 4-0. 

Neither side could find the scoreboard through the first four and a half innings, in fact the Cobras were hitless heading into the bottom of the fifth. However, the Coker bats came alive in the fifth inning. With two outs and runners on first and second, Allyson High stepped in the box and slashed a single through the right side to score Courtney Boan and give Coker a 1-0 lead. The next batter was Hannah Goodman and she lifted a single to right field, scoring Augusta Jackson and propelling the Cobras ahead 2-0. The Eagles threatened in the sixth and seventh innings, however, it was the Navy and Gold picking up the win in game one by a score of 2-0.

Batters seven, eight, nine had all three hits for the Cobras, with Jackson, High and Goodman all going 1-for-2.

Jackson (7-1) was excellent in the circle, allowing just two hits in five-shutout innings. Tabitha Allen only allowed one base runner in two innings of relief, picking up her second save of the season.

In game two, the Cobras struck first in the bottom of the third inning, when Kelsi Bachmann scored on the sacrifice bunt by Maria Williamson. In the bottom of the fifth, Cacey Simmons scored on a Hannah Price single to right field, giving Coker a 2-0 lead. The Navy and Gold added two insurance runs in the sixth inning, thanks to a two-RBI triple by Simmons. The Ealges went down quietly in the seventh inning, securing the 4-0 win in game two and sweep of Carson-Newman.

Simmons led the way, going 1-for-2 with two RBI. Hannah Price, Tayler Barcomb and Mindy North each went 1-for-3 with Price plating an RBI.

Taylor Forehand (10-1) allowed just two hits in five-shutout innings in the win. Nikki Linthicum and Christine Carver each tossed one-shutout inning in relief.

With the wins, the Cobras are tied with Lenoir-Rhyne in the loss column atop the South Atlantic Conference standings.

The Cobras and Bears will square off on Tuesday (Apr. 11) at 2 and 4 p.m. at Saleeby-Stokes Softball Field.