NEWBERRY, S.C.- The Coker College softball team (29-13, 8-6 SAC) squared off with the Newberry College Wolves on Wednesday, April 11, afternoon. The Cobras hit three home runs in route to two wins, 11-2 (5) and 4-2.
Game One
In the five inning run-rule, two solo home runs made their way over the fence, courtesy of Maria Williamson and Brianna Strickland.
The Cobras started out firing on all cylinders, scoring six runs in the top of the first. Anna Gluhosky began the game with a single to the pitcher. Williamson struck a double down the right field line, driving Gluhosky home. Allyson High repeated the sequence with Williamson by switching places. Hannah Price and Mindy North drew back-to-back walks to load the bases for Hannah Goodman. Goodman made the most of it by clearing the bags on a three-RBI triple down the right field line. Strickland scored her with a groundout to the shortstop.
The Wolves got one back on a RBI double down the right field line in the bottom of the inning.
In the second, once again, Gluhosky led off the inning by getting on base, this time with a walk. Williamson did the same, advancing Gluhosky to second. High made it count with a RBI single down the left field line to score the lead runner.
Newberry struck again on another RBI double in the bottom half of the inning for their last runs of the game.
For the third time in four innings, Gluhosky reached base to start the inning, with another walk. After she was caught stealing, Williamson hit a solo shot to left center field to bring the score to 8-2 in Coker's favor.
Strickland led off the fifth with home run to dead center to increase the Cobras' lead. Pinching hitting, Morgan Richardson reached on a walk and advanced to second on a Gluhosky single. Katelyn Chambers did her job as a pinch hitter as well, moving the runners up on a sacrifice bunt. Williamson grounded out to the first baseman but gave Richardson enough time to touch home. High followed that up with a RBI single up the middle, scoring Gluhosky, to set the final score at 11-2
Nikki Linthicum (7-1, 4.48) had a solid five inning, complete game outing, giving up one earned run, with two hits, and two walks, while striking out three.
Game Two
Newberry hit a two-run home run in the first inning, but Coker scored four unanswered to complete the sweep of the Wolves.
Williamson crushed her 10th home run of the season in the top of the third inning to get the Cobras on the board in game two.
The three remaining runs for Coker came in the fifth to seal the win. After Gluhosky singled down the left field line to start the inning and moved to second on a North sacrifice bunt, Williamson drove her home on a single up the middle, tying the game at two. High doubled to left center to put two runners in scoring position. A Price two RBI single to left center turned out to be the game-winning runs, plating Williamson and Madison King who came in as a pinch runner for High.
Taylor Forehand (7-4, 2.59) threw a three-hit complete game, allowing just two runs and one walk, alongside two strikeouts.
The Navy and Gold will next compete at home against Mars Hill on Senior Day for Hannah Price and Courtney Boan. First pitch on Saturday, April 14, is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.