Coker Enters SAC Tournament as No. 2 Seed, Faces Catawba in Opening Round

ANDERSON, S.C.- The No. 2 seeded Coker softball team travels to the Upstate for the South Atlantic Conference Tournament, hosted by Anderson University (S.C.), on Friday and Saturday, April 27-28. This year takes on a different format, now single-elimination as compared to double-elimination from years past.

Coker (33-15, 12-8 SAC), the No. 2 seed, will square off against the No. 7 seed Catawba Lady Indians on the first day. Maria Williamson and Christine Carver were recently named to the SAC All-Conference First Team for their performances in the regular season, helping the team to a runner-up finish. The Navy and Gold were tabbed at the No. 6 team in the Southeast Region on Wednesday, April 25.

The Cobras are led offensively by 66 hits off the bat of first baseman Maria Williamson, who also leads the team with 10 homers, 49 RBI, 25 walks, and .699 slugging percentage. Anna Gluhosky is also having a solid sophomore season with 41 hits, 31 runs, four doubles, two triples, and a home run, alongside 20 RBI, 20 walks, and two stolen bases on a .306/.403/.388 slashline.

In the circle, Christine Carver (16-6, 1.86 ERA) heads up the staff in 139 innings pitched, giving up 37 earned runs and 98 hits, while striking out 108 batters. Nikki Linthicum (7-2, 4.57) and Taylor Forehand (8-5, 2.59) have been impressive as of late, combining for 118 strikeouts, five saves, and only 73 earned runs.

As of April 24, the Coker pitching staff finished the regular season as the statistical champion in the conference in strikeout-to-walk ratio of 2.15. Williamson earned the statistical champion title for her .452 batting average, along with ended the regular season second in on base percentage (.523) and third in both hits (66) and RBIs (49). Carver completed the regular season with top marks in hits allowed per seven innings (4.94) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.18), alongside a second place finish with a 1.86 ERA. Forehand had four saves on the season in a tie for first in the conference.

Catawba (20-25, 8-12 SAC) enters as the No. 7 seed in the tournament. Coker swept the regular season contest with the Lady Indians, 3-2 (8) and 4-1. They are batting .273 as a team with 317 hits, 21 home runs, 55 errors, 178 strikeouts, and 99 walks. The pitching staff has combined for a 2.98 ERA in 295.2 innings, along with 285 hits, 126 earned runs, and 195 strikeouts.

Coker split with the No. 4 Wingate (23-25, 11-9 SAC) by scores of 1-7 and 8-2. As a team, the Bulldogs are hitting .270 alongside 350 hits, 35 homers, 53 errors, 204 strikeouts, and 116 walks. The pitchers have totaled a 3.50 ERA in 318.1 innings on 350 hits, 159 earned runs, and 227 strikeouts.

No. 5 Anderson (S.C.) (31-15, 11-9 SAC) swept the Navy and Gold 3-2 and 2-0 to open conference play. The hosting Trojans are batting .314 with 391 hits, 50 home runs, 49 errors, 185 strikeouts, and 117 walks. From the circle, Anderson (S.C.) has a 2.43 ERA through 302.2 innings, giving up 241 hits, 105 earned runs, and 213 strikeouts.

The No. 1 seeded Lenoir-Rhyne Bears (42-7, 19-1 SAC) are the No. 9 ranked team in Division II and defeated Coker in both games, 8-0 (6) and 1-0. They are hitting .329 on 442 hits, 44 homers, 42 errors, 158 strikeouts, and 145 free bases. The pitching staff are shutting down opponents with a 1.66 ERA through 325.1 innings, allowing 271 hits, just 77 earned runs, and 215 strikeouts.

The Cobras swept No. 8  Carson-Newman (29-19, 8-12 SAC) earlier this month 5-2 and 8-0 (5). The Eagles have combined for a .304 batting average with 394 hits, 31 home runs, 48 errors, 162 strikeouts, and drawing 118 walks. Together, the pitchers have a 2.73 ERA in 315 innings, giving up 287 hits and 123 earned runs, while striking out 252 batters.

Coker also defeated No. 3 Newberry (30-18, 11-9 SAC) in both regular season contests, 11-2 (5) and 4-2. Collectively, the Wolves are hitting for a .323 average on 413 hits, 20 homers, 41 errors, 162 strikeouts, and 138 walks. Pitching, Newberry combines for a 3.65 ERA through 306.2 innings, 345 hits, 160 earned runs, and 151 strikeouts.

No. 6 Queens (N.C.) (34-14, 10-10 SAC) split against Coker during the regular season with the Cobras losing game one 8-3 and winning game two 2-0. The team is averaging .291 at the plate with 370 hits, 39 home runs, 64 errors, 264 strikeouts, and 187 walks. The Royals pitchers have a 3.26 ERA in 320.1 innings, allowing 327 hits, 149 earned runs, and striking out 274 opponents.

First pitch for Coker against the Lady Indians is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on Friday, April 27.

Daily tickets prices are $10 for adults, $5 for children (under 12), and $4 for students with their ID. For video and live stats, please visit www.cokercobras.com.