HARTSVILLE, S.C. – The Coker baseball team opened its 2014 season with a tough 7-1 loss to the Chowan University Hawks on Saturday (Feb. 1) afternoon.

Coker was first to strike when Jarren Donato drew a bases loaded walk to score Ernie Kirkwood in the top of the first. Unfortunately, that would be the only run the Cobras would manage. Chowan took the lead with three runs in the third. The Hawks then tacked on a run in the fourth, one in the sixth and another two in the seventh to take home the 7-1 victory.

Alex Hernandez (0-1) suffered the loss. He allowed four runs on three hits with three strikeouts in four innings on the hill.

Donato finished the game 1-for-2 with an RBI, while Sammy Song was 1-for-3 and Kirkwood scored a run.

The Cobras and the Hawks will complete their three-game series with a double-header on Sunday (Feb. 2) beginning at noon. Live coverage of the games will be available at www.cokercobras.com.

McDonald's Player of the Game – Jarren Donato