DeVecchio Solid in Game One, Offense Explodes in Game Two

HARTSVILLE, S.C.- On Friday (Feb. 9) afternoon, the Coker College baseball team squared off in a doubleheader with the Urbana University Blue Knights at Tom J. New Field at Dave Schmotzer Stadium. The Cobras took care of business in game one, 2-1 and in game two, 9-2. 

Game One-

Coker College (2-1) pitcher, Michael DeVecchio (2-0, 0.00), picked up his second win of the season going the distance in game one against Urbana (0-1). The junior Cobra threw a complete-game, tossing 7.0 innings, relenting one run, unearned, on two hits, with three walks and struck out eight. The left-hander entered the fifth inning having only let up one hit from the Blue Knights.

After Urbana took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fifth, Coker responded with a two-spot in the bottom half of the inning. Tanner Crosby led off the inning with a single and then stole second. Jon Koski followed with a base hit of his own and Bryson Conner drew a walk to load the bases with no outs. Reilly Hall joined the base hit club, driving in Crosby to tie the game, 1-1. After a fielder's choice, Larry McCabe reached on an error by the shortstop, allowing Conner to score, giving the Cobras a 2-1 lead going to the sixth inning.

The Navy and Gold would hold that line for the next two innings to secure their second win of the season.

Game Two-

The Cobras (3-1) left no doubt that the offense would back up solid pitching performances, as Coker thumped Urbana (0-2), 9-2, in game two.

It began in the bottom of the second inning, as Coker put up three runs on five hits. With one out, Connor Cleary and Tanner Crosby put together back-to-back base hits and Jon Koski followed with one of his own, driving in Cleary from second to take the 1-0 lead. Lake Lybrand then added to the hit-parade, driving in Crosby to make it 2-0. After a groundout to the right side to advance both runners into scoring position, Bryson Conner lashed a single to bring home Koski, putting Coker up, 3-0.

The Cobras tabbed three more runs in the bottom of the third inning, taking a 6-0 advantage. Larry McCabe led off with a single and then stole second. Brooks Estrada laid down a sacrifice bunt which pushed McCabe to third. Cleary then came in and drove in McCabe with a base hit to make it a 4-0 contest. With two away in the inning, Koski used his wheels and legged out an RBI triple. Lybrand then stood in and was hit by a pitch, before Reilly Hall scored Koski on a base knock to put Coker on top, 6-0.

Coker completed the hat-trick of three-straight, three-run innings, scoring three more runs in the home half of the fourth inning. After the Blue Knights went to the bullpen, Thomas Lopez opened up the frame with a single. McCabe then hit into a fielder's choice that eliminated the lead runner, before Brooks Estrada doubled, putting both runners in scoring position for Cleary. Cleary and Crosby both worked back-to-back walks, as Crosby's free pass pushed in McCabe. Koski then reached on a fielder's choice to second, scoring Cleary on the play, putting Coker on top, 9-1.

Urbana went on to score one more run in the top of the fifth, but wouldn't be enough to out-due the Navy and Gold.

Coker's pitching staff did an excellent job of keeping the Blue Knights off balance all day. Game two starter, Nick Taylor (1-1, 7.71) got his first win of the season in his second start, going 4.0 innings giving up two runs, both earned, on five hits, two walks, and three strikeouts.

Drake Knight came in for an inning of relief letting up just two hits and a walk, but no runs.

Cody Brown closed out the final 2.0 innings of the game, relenting two hits, a walk, and struck out three.

The Navy and Gold will be right back in action with Urbana on Saturday (Feb. 10) in a doubleheader tilt, with two seven-inning games. Game one will begin at 12:00 p.m. and game two will start approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one. Live-stats will be available by visiting www.cokercobras.com.

Tickets for the baseball games are available at the gate, $5 for adults, $3 for students and free to all Coker faculty, staff, and students.

McDonalds Player of the Game- Jon Koski

(2-for-3 | 3RBI | 3B | 2 R)