HARTSVILLE, S.C. – The Coker softball team split a South Atlantic Conference doubleheader with Mars Hill University on Sunday (Mar. 30) at the Saleeby-Stokes Softball field.
In game number one the Cobras trailed 1-0 after an early run scored by the Lions. Mars Hill then went on to take a 6-0 lead after scoring five more runs in the second. The offensive struggle continued for Coker, as they could not push any runs across the plate in the first five innings. The Lions eventually added to their lead when they scored one run in the fourth and then tacked on seven more in the fifth to take the game by a score of 14-0
Lauren Phillips (7-7 ) would be marked with the loss after going for 2.2 innings, giving up six runs on four hits.
In game number two, seven innings was not enough to settle the dispute as the game was tied 11-11. In extra innings, the Lions took a 14-11 lead in the top of the eighth after they drove in three runs. After two walks to start the bottom of the eighth, Tyresha Ellis singled up the middle to drive in an RBI and load the bases. Sydney Weatherford would then step up to the plate and drive in to RBIs to tie the game at 14-14. The bases would remain loaded after Katelyn Szupello drew the walk, to give Coker the opportunity for the walk-off. With no outs and the bases loaded, Tayler Barcomb would draw the walk-off walk and Coker would take the game by a final score of 15-14.
Weatherford would be the offensive catalyst for the Cobras in game two as she connected for two doubles, and drove in a game high four RBIs. Logan Cox and Ellis would each have one double, with Cox driving in one batter and Ellis matching Weatherford with four. Barcomb would add two RBI, while Szupello, Ashley Gallman, Ashlee Ellen, and Alex Cataldo all tallied one.
Phillips (8-7) would earn the hard fought win, after pitching 4.2 innings, giving up ten runs on seven hits.
Coker will hit the road for their next competition, as they travel to Lenoir-Rhyne on Wednesday (Apr. 2) for a SAC doubleheader. Game number one will start at 2:00 p.m., followed by game two at 4:00.
McDonald's Player of the Game: Sydney Weatherford.