By: Jake Miller
HARTSVILLE, S.C.- Coker baseball picked up the 9-4 win over No. 22 UIndy on Homecoming (Sat., Feb. 11) to even the series at one.
Coker struck for two runs in the bottom of the first off AJ Strnad's first home run of the season, along with Brooks Estrada reaching on an error to score Darius Coldiron. The Cobras would add to their lead in the third with an RBI single from Clint Allen that scored Thomas Lopez. The Navy and Gold would then erupt in the fourth for five runs and stretch their lead to 8-0. Lake Lybrand laced a two-RBI single up the middle, followed up by RBI singles from Coldiron and Allen. Jon Koski also brought in a run in the frame thanks to a bases loaded walk.
The Greyhounds would respond with three runs in the top of the fifth, before both teams tallied runs in the sixth. Koski collected his second RBI of the day singling up the middle and scoring Estrada.
Will Sutton was the starter for Coker, falling one out shy of being eligible for the win. The southpaw fired 4.2 innings, allowing three earned runs on five hits while walking two and recording one strikeout. The Cobras got a stellar relief effort from Cody Brown (1-0), who hurled four innings out of the pen. The right-hander allowed one earned run on four hits while issuing one free pass and striking out three. Griffin Hollifield would come on for the final out of the game to collect his second save of the year.
Strnad led the offensive charge on the day, going 3-4 with a double, a long ball and one RBI. Coldiron, Allen and Tanner Crosby each collected two hits in the game, while four other Cobras tallied hits in the win.
The rubber match of the series is set for 11:00 a.m. at Tom J. New Field at Dave Schmotzer Stadium. Video and live stats will be available at www.cokercobras.com. Tickets for the game are $5 for adults, $3 for students and free to all Coker faculty, staff and students.