GAFFNEY, S.C.—The Limestone College baseball team swept Coker College in a Conference Carolinas doubleheader on Sunday afternoon at Bob Prevatte Field. The Saints won the first contest 7-6, and took game two 6-4. Limestone climbs to 18-12 overall and 9-6 in the league, as the Cobras slip to 10-19 overall (2-13 conference.)
Limestone struggled early in the first game, giving up four runs in the first inning. Limestone had two runs in the bottom of the inning to cut Coker’s lead to 4-2, but the Cobras added another run in the second. The Saints tied the score in the third as Josh Izokovic (Shelby, N.C.) hit a double to score Zach Watkins (Albany, Ga.) Phillip Soden followed up with a home run to also score Izokovic. Coker made the game interesting in the sixth inning as Julio Gomez (Santa Fe, N.M.) hit a sacrifice fly to get Ricky Deleandro (Mentor, Ohio) across home plate. Limestone fought back in the seventh when Izokovic hit a double to score pinch runner Greg Dailey (Baltimore, Md.). Matt Still (Moncks Corner, S.C.) drove in the game-winning run on a base hit.
Thomas Fekete (Aiken, S.C.) improved to 2-0 on the season with today’s win. He closed in the final 2/3 inning, had one strikeout and allowed no hits. Brock White (Gaffney, S.C.) pitched in the first inning, recorded two strikeouts, and gave up seven hits. Jordan Liette (Versailles, Ohio) pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowed five hits, and had one strikeout.
Soden hit 3-3, had three RBIs, and scored two runs. Izokovic was 3-4 with two RBIs and three runs scored.
Brad Boob (Charlotte, N.C.) took the loss for Coker after he pitched 6 1/3 innings. He gave up nine hits and struck out two batters. Mikael Owens (Columbia, S.C.) closed and had one strikeout and allowed one hit.
Gomez was 3-3 at bat with two RBIs. Karl Ankersen (Mt. Pleasant, S.C.) hit 3-4, while Will Poole (Pelion, S.C.) was 2-4.
In the second game, Coker took a 1-0 lead in the first. Limestone put two runs on the board in the fourth. Soden led off the inning with his second home run of the day, and Drew Lydon (White Plains, Md.) singled to drive in Adam McSwain (Fallston, N.C.). Coker tied the score in the fifth with a RBI from B.K. Harfst (Arvada, Colo.) Limestone took the 6-2 lead in the fifth with four runs, including a three-run homer from Lydon. The Cobras scored their final two runs in the sixth, as Kyle Walker (Centrailia, ill.) singled to score Deleandro and Preston Ford (Cheraw, S.C.). Limestone held off the Cobras in the seventh for the 6-4 win.
Chris Zimmerman (Hendersonville, N.C.) got the win for Limestone. He pitched the first six innings, allowed 11 hits, and struck out five batters. Fekete picked up his first save of the year as he closed and gave up no hits.
Adam McSwain was 3-3 for the Saints. He also had one RBI and scored two runs. Lydon was 2-3 with 4 RBIs and one run scored.
Chris Thomas (Bluffton, S.C.) was credited with the loss after he pitched all six innings for Coker. He gave up eight hits.
Coker’s Scott Amann (New Athens, Ill.) and Ford both hit 2-3 with one run scored. Walker was 2-4 with two RBIs and one run scored.
The Saints travel to Greeneville, Tenn., to face Tusculum on March 18 at 4 p.m. Coker hosts Mars Hill on March 18-19. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m. on both days.
Game 1
Limestone 7, Coker 6 (Mar 16, 2008 at Limestone College)
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Coker............... 410 001 0 - 6 12 0
Limestone........... 203 000 2 - 7 10 2
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Pitchers: Coker - Boob; Owens(7). Limestone - Brock White; Jordan Liette(2); Thomas Fekete(7).
Win-Thomas Fekete Loss-Boob T- A-0
HR LCSAINTS - Phillip Soden.
White faced 2 batters in the 2nd.
Game 2
Limestone 6, Coker 4 (Mar 16, 2008 at Limestone College)
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Coker............... 100 012 0 - 4 11 0
Limestone........... 000 240 X - 6 8 0
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Pitchers: Coker - C. Thomas. Limestone - Chris Zimmerman; Thomas Fekete(7).
Win-Chris Zimmerman Save-Thomas Fekete Loss-C. Thomas T- A-0
HR LCSAINTS - Phillip Soden; Drew Lydon.
Zimmerman faced 1 batter in the 7th.