By: Jake Miller
BREVARD, N.C.- Coker baseball split its doubleheader on Saturday (Feb. 27) dropping game one 10-8 and rebounding with a 16-2 win in the rubber match to win its first conference series of the year 2-1.
A strong offensive performance from Will Winslow was not enough to win game two, as Coker dropped the first game of the day 10-8. The Cobras trailed 7-3 after three innings and were forced to respond in a big way. The visitors chipped away at the lead, hanging a three-spot in the fourth to cut the deficit to 7-6. Winslow came up in a big spot with two runners in scoring position with two outs, and delivered. The junior dropped a double down the left field line, bringing two of the three runs in the inning. Bryson Conner followed it up with a single to left that would score Winslow. Winslow finished the first game 3-5 with four RBI and two runs scored, including his first home run of the season. Darius Coldiron also belted his first long ball of the campaign.
Will Sutton (1-1) took the loss in the game, tossing 4.1 relief innings allowing five earned runs on six hits. The southpaw also struck out two and issued four free passes.
Coker would rebound in a big way in the rubber match, winning 16-2. Three Cobras notched multi-hit games and the visitors scored multiple runs in four different innings. A six-run second and a five-run seventh did the damage in the win. Winslow had another great game, posting a 2-3 effort with three RBI and two runs scored. Thomas Lopez notched a 3-4 game bringing home four and scoring twice, while Jack Leech went 3-5 scoring one run and knocking one in.
Darius Coldiron (2-1) earned the win, firing 5.2 innings allowing two earned runs on seven hits. The right-hander did not allow a walk and punched out five.
The Cobras are back in action next weekend (March 4-5) when they travel to Anderson for a three-game South Atlantic Conference series. First pitch Friday is set for 6:00 p.m. while the Saturday doubleheader will begin at 1:00 p.m.