MARS HILL, N.C.- The Coker College baseball team dropped the series opener to Mars Hill on Friday, March 30 by a score of 7-5. Four Cobras notched multi-hit games, including solo home runs from Larry McCabe and Brooks Estrada.
Coker drew first blood in the opening frame of the game with a lone run. Reilly Hall led off the game with a walk, extending his consecutive on-base streak to 18 games. With one out, Bryson Conner slashed a single to right field. With two outs and Hall at second, Conner on first, Connor Cleary singled to left field. On the play the Mars Hill left fielder misplayed the ball, leading to Hall scoring to take the 1-0 led.
The Lions fought back with seven runs heading into the fourth inning.
Larry McCabe helped lead the charge leading off the top of the fourth ripping a solo home run to right. Thomas Lopez followed with a single through the left side and Tanner Crosby reached on an error to put runners on the corners. Rob Wilkerson followed to load the bases. With two outs, Conner connected on his second hit of the contest, driving a double down the left field line to bring Coker within three of Mars Hill, 7-4.
Brooks Estrada added to the home run club on Friday with a solo blast to left field in the top of the seventh as the Cobra outfielder brought the score to 7-5.
The Navy and Gold presented the tying run on base in the ninth but couldn't push the runners across, falling to Mars Hill in the series opener 7-5.
Four Cobras tabbed a multi-hit game including Connor Cleary, Bryson Conner, Brooks Estrada and Thomas Lopez. Those four connected for a 9-for-15 day with three runs driven in, two runs scored, a home run and a walk.
Coker and Mars Hill will play in a doubleheader on Saturday, March 31 to wrap up the three-game series. Live stats for the games can be found by visiting www.cokercobras.com.