HARTSVILLE, S.C. – The Coker College softball team (21-5) went 1-1 on Thursday (Mar. 9) in a non-conference doubleheader against the visiting North Greenville University Crusaders. NGU picked up a win in game one by a score of 5-2. The Cobras responded with a win in game two by a score of 3-2 in eight innings.
In the opener, the Cobras struck first, scoring two runs in the fourth inning. With a runner on first and one out, Tayler Barcomb tripled to right field, scoring Cacey Simmons and breaking the 0-0 tie. Hannah Price stepped in the box and singled back up the middle, scoring Barcomb and putting the Cobras ahead 2-0. Neither side found the scoreboard in the fifth and sixth inning, however, North Greenville plated five runs in the top of the seventh inning to go ahead 5-2. The Cobras could not respond in the bottom half of the frame, giving NGU the 5-2 win.
Barcomb and Price led the way, going 1-for-3 with one RBI.
Tabitha Allen was hit with the loss. She allowed no earned runs on four hits in 1.2 innings.
In game two, the bats remained quiet through the opening five innings, as the game was tied 0-0 headed to the sixth inning. Back-to-back home runs by North Greenville in the sixth lifted the Crusaders ahead 2-0. A sac fly by Barcomb in the bottom of the sixth inning put the Cobras on the board, still trailing 2-1. With a runner on second and one out in the bottom of the seventh inning, Simmons singled to center field, scoring Augusta Jackson and tying the game up at 2-2 and forcing extra innings. After NGU went down in order in the top of the eighth inning, a leadoff double by Barcomb scored Anna Gluhosky, capping off the 3-2 comeback win for the Navy and Gold.
Barcomb went 1-for-3 again, plating two RBI, while Simmons went 2-for-3 with one RBI.
Nikki Linthicum picked up her fourth win of the season. She was perfect in 2.2 innings of relief, allowing no base runners and striking out two batters.
The Cobras will be back in action on Saturday (Mar. 11) when they travel to Pfeiffer University for a doubleheader against the Falcons.