AIKEN, S.C.- The Cobra softball team headed southwest to USC Aiken for a clash with the Pacers in non-conference action. Coker took game one, 16-1 (5), and dropped game two, 7-6 (8).
Game One
The Navy and Gold got the scoring started fast and often in game one.
Kelsi Bachmann bunted for a single to start the game and stole second. With Hannah Price reaching first on a fielding error by the first baseman, Bachmann had time to cross home plate. Brianna Strickland singled to the pitcher, which scored Price after she advanced to third after singles from both Maria Williamson and Cacey Simmons.
Five straight batter drove in five consecutive runs in the second inning. Anna Gluhosky walked to open the inning and was driven in from third on a Price fielder's choice. As the next batter, Williamson also reached on a fielder's choice, scoring Madison King from second. Simmons singled to left field, allowing Price to tally another run. Strickland singled to the pitcher yet again with Williamson crossing the plate. Allyson High singled to right field for a RBI, letting Simmons score.
USC Aiken put their run on the board in the bottom of the third on a RBI double to left field.
Strickland hit another single, this time to center field, and advanced to second on the throw. Simmons hustled from second to grab a run for the Cobras.
The fifth inning is where the Navy and Gold got hot, collecting eight runs. Seven RBI were earned in the drubbing from Bachmann (2), King, Price, Gluhosky (2), and Hannah Goodman.
Christine Carver (11-1, 1.26 ERA) picked up the five inning complete game victory. She only gave up one earned run, one walk, and six hits, alongside a strikeout. Carver threw 48 pitches in the game, 39 of which were strikes.
Game Two
In a back-and-forth contest, the Cobras took the Pacers to extra innings.
Coker scored the first run in the second game off of a Williams single to right field, with Simmons touching home.
The Pacers took over the lead after a three-run bottom of the first.
The top of the second saw Simmons reach on an error by the center fielder with the bases loaded, sending Bachmann, Diane Servideo, and Makayla Shore home.
The game was tied up after a RBI single to right field in the bottom of the second inning.
Simmons garnered another RBI on a single to center field, scoring Bachmann yet again.
The Pacers added two runs on RBI to give them the slight 6-5 advantage.
In the top of the seventh in Coker's last chance to send it to extra innings, Simmons sent her second home run of the year over the left field fence.
USC Aiken walked it off with a home run to left field to give the Cobras their fourth loss of the year.
With Carver giving up the walk-off homerun, she was credited with the loss in her second appearance of the day. In 3.1 innings of work, it was the lone hit given up and she struck out three batters as well.
The Cobras return to the field next Thursday (Mar. 15) when they will travel to face the North Greenville Crusaders.