HARTSVILLE, S.C. – The Coker College softball team improved to 41-16 on the season on Saturday (Apr. 29), knocking off the No. 13 nationally-ranked Lenoir-Rhyne University Bears in the South Atlantic Conference Championship Tournament. The Cobras won the elimination game by a score of 4-3. 

The Cobras struck first, scoring two runs in the second inning. Hannah Price singled with one out, then advanced to third on the double by Augusta Jackson. With two runners in scoring position, Riley Morris singled to right field, scoring Price and giving Coker the 1-0 lead. Allyson High then singled to left field, scoring Jackson and lifting the Coker lead to 2-0. Lenoir-Rhyne responded with a run in the bottom of the second inning, closing the deficit to 2-1. Cacey Simmons singled to lead off the third inning, then Tayler Barcomb belted a home run to left field to give the Navy and Gold the 4-1 lead. The Bears homered in the third and fifth, however, the Cobras were able to hold on for the 4-3 win, advancing to SAC Championship Sunday.

Barcomb and Price led the way for the Cobras, each going 2-for-3, with Barcomb plating two RBI. Morris and High each slashed one hit, recording one RBI.

Augusta Jackson picked up the win in the circle, she allowed three earned runs in four innings. Christine Carver notched her fourth save of the season, allowing just one hit in three innings.

The Cobras will take on Carson-Newman at 1 p.m. on Sunday (Apr. 30) for the SAC Championship, needing to win two games over the Eagles to win the title.