Cobras to Host Carson-Newman for First Home Conference Series

HARTSVILLE, S.C.- The Coker College baseball team will play host to South Atlantic Conference opponent Carson-Newman, as the Eagles swoop into Hartsville for a three-game series with the Cobras. A single nine-inning game will take place on Friday March 2, and a doubleheader on Saturday March 3. Friday's game is slated for a 2:00 p.m. start, with Saturday's doubleheader scheduled for a 12:00 p.m. first pitch. 

Coker College (9-4) enters the series with Carson-Newman (9-6, 2-1) riding a seven-game winning streak at home at Tom J. New Field at Dave Schmotzer Stadium. The Cobras have scored 52 runs in those seven games with 13 doubles, three triples, three home runs, including two grand slams from Bryson Conner and RJ Ball.

Brooks Estrada leads the Cobras offensively with a .405 average at the plate with a home run, two doubles, seven runs driven in and six runs scored in 13 games played. Conner also tops Coker in an offensive category, having driven in 13 runs, with four doubles, as he's tied for the program record with 38 career doubles. The senior shortstop is also batting .372 on the young season with two home runs, a triple, and 11 runs scored.

Michael DeVecchio (3-1, 2.10) hails as the most effective pitcher for the Navy and Gold, as the transfer junior has thrown three complete games and two shutouts in four starts to his credit so far. The left-hander has surrendered eight runs, six earned, through 25.2 innings of work with 20 strikeouts.

Coker will take on the Eagles Friday, March 2 at 2:00 p.m., in a scheduled nine-inning game and on Saturday, March 3, for a doubleheader (nine/seven-inning). First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. at Tom J. New Field at Dave Schmotzer Stadium. Video and live-stats will be available by visiting www.cokercobras.com.

Tickets for the baseball games are available at the gate, $5 for adults, $3 for students and free to all Coker faculty, staff, and students.