HARTSVILLE, S.C.- The Coker College baseball team will host the Tusculum College Pioneers at Tom J. New Field at Dave Schmotzer stadium for their final home South Atlantic Conference series of the 2018 campaign on Friday and Saturday, April 13-14. Before Saturday's scheduled doubleheader, Coker will honor its seniors before game one.
The Cobras' offense has picked up considerably the last four games, including their South Atlantic Conference series win over Lincoln Memorial. In those last four games, Coker has provided a team batting average of .338 while collecting 47 hits (nine doubles, four triples and a home run) and scored 30 runs.
Coker will honor their seven seniors- Charlie Burguieres, Joey Carpenter, Connor Cleary, Bryson Conner, Brooks Estrada, Thomas Lopez and JT Whritner, before the first scheduled game on Saturday, April 14 at 12 p.m.
The first senior to be honored will be Charlie Burguieres. Burguieres spent all four years at Coker as an infielder and has collected 20 hits, 14 runs, 10 walks and nine runs batted in for his career. A business administration major from Greensboro, North Carolina, Charlie plans to work for an investment firm upon graduation. He is the son of Shelly and Rick.
Joey Carpenter, a pitcher from Easley, South Carolina spent his career with the Cobras collecting a 2-0 record in 21 games as a reliever. Carpenter has struck out 16 and walked just four in his 32.0 innings of work for the Navy and Gold. A business administration major, Joey plans to work for Bridgestone Tires upon graduation. He is the son of Cathy and Roger.
Connor Cleary transferred to Coker in the 2017 season from Sinclair Community College and has made an impact for the Cobras in his two seasons. The first baseman has collected 39 hits and 25 runs thus far to go along with five doubles and a triple with 12 runs driven in. Cleary is batting .333 on the season with a .438 on-base percentage tallying 15 walks and two stolen bases. The Nicholasville, Kentucky native is a criminology major and plans to pursue a career in law enforcement. He is the son of Jody and Johnnie.
Bryson Conner is a four-year veteran starter for the Cobras at the shortstop / middle infield position. A native of North Augusta, South Carolina, Conner has had a successful career for the Navy and Gold, owning a career .316 average at the plate with 193 hits, 96 runs driven in with 81 walks. Conner owns the Coker record in career doubles with 44 as a Cobra, ranks third with 96 RBI, eighth in triples with 6, and tied for sixth in home runs with six. A physical education major, Bryson intends to attend medical school upon graduation. He is the son of Donna and Page.
Brooks Estrada is a two-year starting outfielder. Coming to Coker in 2017 after having spent time at Lake Sumter State College, Estrada has found his stride at the plate raking in a .362 batting average, .407 on-base percentage, and .523 slugging percentage this season on 47 hits, 22 runs scored, 19 runs driven in, six doubles, three triples, three home runs, eight walks and four stolen bases. Hailing from Oakland, Florida, Estrada is a business administration major and plans to become a medical sales representative. Brooks is the son of Tammy and Bob.
Thomas Lopez transferred to Coker in 2015 from Northwest Florida State College and turned the page as soon as he came to campus. Lopez hit .337 in 48 games at third base in his sophomore season. In 2017 Lopez finished with the second-best season batting average at .306 and also owned a .394 on-base percentage. Lopez is tied for fifth all-time at Coker with seven home runs, sixth in doubles with 29, and seventh with 126 hits. A sport management major from St. Cloud, Florida, Thomas plans to work in business with an emphasis in becoming a sales representative with a sports company. He is the son of Carolyn and Ray.
JT Whritner has spent four years at Coker. The New Windsor, New York native has a 2-1 record on the mound for the Navy and Gold in 21.1 innings pitched, while holding a 13.08 strikeout/per nine-innings pitched ratio. A business administration major, Whritner intends to become a project supervisor for a construction company. JT is the son of Molly Carhart and Jeff Whritner.
The Navy and Gold will play a single game on Friday, April 13 at 3 p.m. and a doubleheader on Saturday, April 14 with game one scheduled for a 12 p.m. first pitch. Fans can follow the action with live video provided by the Cobra Sports Network and live-stats that can be accessed by visiting www.cokercobras.com.
