AUGUSTA, Ga.- The Coker College softball team traveled to Augusta, Ga. on Tuesday (Feb. 13) for a midweek non-conference doubleheader and came away with two victories. The Cobras put on a dominant display of offense in both games, winning game one 12-3, and game two 9-1, securing their fifth and sixth wins of the season.
Game One
Coker (5-0) wasted no time in piling up the runs over Augusta (1-4), scoring three runs in the top of the second inning. Allyson High led off the inning with a single to center, but was then erased at second on an Anna Gluhosky fielder's choice. After a wild pitch advanced Gluhosky to second, Hannah Goodman drew a walk. With two outs, Kelsi Bachmann drove Gluhosky home on an RBI single to left; both runners moved into scoring position on the play. Cacey Simmons then stepped in and made the score 3-0 on a double to left.
The Cobras put the pressure on the Jaguars in the third inning, hanging nine runs on Augusta's pitching staff. Hannah Price got things started with a single up the middle and Diane Servideo was then hit by a pitch. High connected on her second base hit of the afternoon, driving a ball to center field. On the play, Augusta's center fielder misfielded the ball, allowing Price and Servideo to score. Alex Alverson then pinch ran for High, as Gluhosky reached on an error to put runners on the corners. With one out, Gluhosky stole second before Courtney Boan was issued a walk to load the bases. Bachmann also drew a walk, and recorded an RBI as Coker took the 6-0 lead. Simmons then connected on a two-run single back up the middle. Simmons stole second and advanced on a Jaguars' throwing error, allowing both runners to advance once more on the play. Maria Williamson also reached base, finding her way on by an error from the shortstop, scoring Simmons. Katelyn Chambers pinch ran for Williamson before Price hit into a fielder's choice, but both runners would be safe after another Augusta error. Servideo drew a walk to load the bases, and with two outs, Gluhosky ripped a base hit to right. The base hit scored both runs to put Coker on top 12-0 through three innings.
Augusta was able to scrounge three runs out of Coker's Christine Carver (3-0), who went 5.0 innings, relenting three runs, all earned, on seven hits, no walks and two strikeouts.
Game Two
Game two for Coker (6-0) brought more offense for the Cobras, as they put two early runs on the board in the first inning against Augusta (1-5). Kelsi Bachmann led off with a single to center and was then moved over to second on a Casey Simmons sacrifice bunt. Maria Williamson then stood in and homered to center, putting the Cobras up, 2-0.
Augusta would strike back for a lone run, but the Navy and Gold would answer back in the top of the third inning with five runs on four hits and an error. Madison King got it started with a leadoff walk. Behind her Bachmann singled on a bunt, and advanced to second on an error by the first baseman, pushing King to third. Cacey Simmons then stood in and doubled to right, scoring both runners to put Coker up 4-1. Maria Williamson tacked on an RBI single to center before Hannah Price singled and Makayla Shore was walked. With the bases loaded, Mindy North drew a walk giving the Cobras a 6-1 advantage. With one out, Gluhosky flew out to center, but Price was able to tag up on the play, making it 7-1 on the sacrifice fly.
Coker added two more runs in the fourth inning, led by back-to-back walks issued to Bachmann and Simmons. Bachmann picked up two stolen bases in the process. With runners on the corners, Williamson grounded out to second, but scored Bachmann on the play. Price then reached on a fielder's choice as Shore stood in and drove a single to right, scoring Simmons making it 9-1.
Nikki Linthicum (2-0) secured her second victory of the season with 4.0 innings of work, relenting one unearned run, on four hits, no walks and one strikeout. Brianna Strickland also took to the circle, working the final inning picking up a strikeout.
Coker will be back in action this coming weekend, hosting the Cobra Invitational with Alderson Broaddus and Mount Olive. Coker will begin play on Saturday (Feb. 17) against Alderson Broaddus starting at 10:00 A.M. and will play mount Olive at 2:15 P.M.