PEMBROKE, N.C. - Visiting Coker held the UNCP offense to just three hits through seven innings of play, but the Braves erupted for four more in the eighth, including a two-run homer by Jason Morales, to sneak past the visiting Cobras, 4-1, Tuesday evening at Sammy Cox Field.
Derek Funk singled twice and scored once on a 2-for-4 hitting line to lead the offensive attack for UNCP (19-11), with Morales (1-for-3, 2 RBI), Jeff Adams (1-for-3) and Jay Bowman (1-for-4, RBI) each turning in base hits to keep their six-game hitting streaks alive. Chris Beck singled and scored in three trips to the plate, with Josh Bentley driving in a run and scoring once on a 1-for-3 outing.
UNCP closer Jake Allen (4-1) came on in relief of Justin Yow with one out in the eighth and needed just 10 pitches to tally his team-leading fourth victory of the campaign. Yow struck out six and allowed just five hits over seven and one-thirds innings in his second consecutive quality start, but did not pick up a decision.
Coker rallied for a pair of hits with two outs in the sixth, including a run-scoring double by Brian Nally, to take a 1-0 lead and appeared to have the Braves right where they wanted them behind the shutout pitching of Jayson Clarke (2-6). However, Beck singled to lead off the eighth and moved into position on a sac bunt from George Hines to set the table for a RBI double from Bentley moments later.
Funk legged out a bunt single, Bentley scored on a RBI groundout by Bowman and Morales homered for the sixth time this season to complete the game scoring.
UNCP will continue a four-game homestand this weekend when the Braves host Peach Belt Conference foe North Georgia (14-11, 6-3 PBC) in a three-game set at Sammy Cox Field. Coker travels to