HARTSVILLE, S.C.  – The Coker Cobra softball team split its South Atlantic Conference series with the Carson-Newman Eagles on Monday (Mar. 16). The Cobras won the first game 3-0, with Carson-Newman picking up the win in game two 4-1. 

Ashley Gallman provided all the offense the Cobras would need in game one. The junior third baseman blasted a three-run homer over the left field fence in the bottom second inning to give the Cobras a 3-0 lead. From there it was all pitching and defense as Coker shut down the Eagles to take home the 3-0 victory.

Gallman finished the game 1-for-3 with a home run, three RBIs and a run scored. Katelyn Szupello and Carley Bailey picked up two hits each for the Cobras.

Tabitha Allen (9-7) earned the win. She threw a complete game shut out, scattering six hits with four strikeouts.

Game two was a pitching dual through the first five innings, as neither team was able to plate run. Carson-Newman broke the game open in the top of the fifth with two runs. Coker answered with a run of its own in the bottom half of the inning to make it a 2-1 ball game. The Eagles scored a run in each of the next two innings to regain the two-run advantage and the 4-1 win.

Allen (9-8) was tagged with the loss. She allowed four runs on six hits in three innings of work. 

Szupello drove in Coker's lone run and was 1-for-3 at the dish, while Riley Morris, Ashlee Ellen, Tayler Barcomb and Corrine Stiles each picked up a hit as well for the Cobras.

The Cobras will have a quick turn around as they hit the road on Tuesday (Mar. 17) to take on Catawba in another SAC series. First pitch is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.

McDonald's Player of the Game – Ashley Gallman